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CARNAC    SAHIB 


(650  copies  only  were  printed  of  this  edition 
June,  1899) 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


AN   ORIGINAL   PLAY 
IX  FOUR  ACTS 


BY 
HENRY    ARTHUR    JONES 

AUTHOR  OF  -~^ 

THE     TEMPTER,'    'MICHAEL    AND     HIS     LOST     ANGEL,'     'THE     LIARS, 

'THE     CRUSADERS,'     'THE     MASQUERADERS,'     'JUDAH,'     'the 

CASE    OF    REBELLIOUS    SUSAN,'    'THE    DANCING    GIRL,' 

'  THE     MIDDLEMAN,'    '  THE    ROGUE'S    COMEDY,' 

'THE    PHYSICIAN,'     'THE    TRIUMPH    OF 

THE      PHILISTINES,'      'THE 

MANCEUYRES   OF   JANE,' 

'THE        GOAL,' 

ETC. 


THE    MACMILLAN    COMPANY 

LONDON:    MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  Ltd. 

1899 

All  rights  reserved 


Copyright,  1899 
By  THE  MACMILLAN   COMPANY 


S$ount  IPIeagant  CDrtnterp 

J,  Horace  McFarland  Company 
Harrisburg,  Pa. 


# 


All  the  dramatic  and  performing  rights  of  this 
play  are  the  separate  property  of  Mr.  Henry 
Arthur  Jones,  and  are  strictly  reserved  in  the 
United  Kingdom,  the  English  Colonies,  America, 
and  the  United  States. 


PERSONS    REPRESENTED 

Colonel   Stacey   Carnac. 

Colonel   Arthur    Syrett. 

General    Sir   Hardinge   Scrivener. 

Major    Hedley   Kynaston. 

Major   William    Radnage. 

Reverend    Jimmy    Hobbs. 

Mr.   Ford. 

The   Maharajah    of    Motiala. 

Captain   Bell. 

Lieutenant    Richard   Barton. 

Lieutenant   Alan    Lovatt. 

Mahomet   All 

Mirza   Khan. 

Ali    Khan. 

Christna. 

Betts. 

Ellice    Ford. 

May    Ford. 

Amina. 

Mrs.   Carmichael. 

Mrs.   Remington. 

Mrs.  Whitmore. 

Madge   Lovelace. 

Seeta. 

Olive   Arnison. 

Indian  Soldiers,  Native  Soldiers,  Shop- 
keepers, Populace. 


ACT    I. 

Scene — i.    Compound  of  Colonel  Carnac's  Bungalow  and 
Office  at  Dilghaut.      (Morning.) 

2.  Ruined  Hindoo  Temple  near  Fyzapore.     (The 

same  night.) 

3.  Exterior    of     Olive     Arnison's    Bungalow    at 

Dilghaut.      (Sunrise  the  next  morning.) 

{A  fortnight  f  asses.) 

ACT    II. 

Scene  —  Grounds    of     the     English     Club     at     Dilghaut. 
(Night.) 

(  Ten  days  fiass. ) 

ACT    III. 

Scene — 1.    Room     in    Colonel     Carnac's     Bungalow     at 
Dilghaut.     (Morning.) 

2.  Bazaar    and    Exterior    of    the    Ghur-i-Noor, 

Dilghaut.      (The  same  afternoon.) 

3.  Room  in  Colonel  Carnac's  Bungalow.    (Night.) 

(Nearly  three  weeks  pass.) 

ACT     IV. 

Scene — 1.    The  Jewelled  Palace  at  Fyzapore.     (Sunset.) 

2.  Room    in    Olive  Arnison's    Bungalow  at    Dil- 

ghaut.     (Evening.) 

3.  The   Jewelled    Palace.      (Night.     The   falling 

of     the    curtain    signifies    the    passing    of 
the    night.) 

4.  The  Jewelled  Palace.     (Dawn.) 

The  scene  is  laid  at  the  cities  of  Fyzafore  and  Dilghaut, 
in  India,  at  the  f  resent  time. 


ACT  I 

Scene  I 

The  Veranda  and  Compound  of  Colonel  Stacey 
Carnac's  Bungalow  at  Dilghaut 

Discover  Lieutenant  Dicky  Barton,  Lieutenant  Alan 
Lovatt,  and  Major  Radnage,  Indian  Medical  Staff, 
and,  at  some  little  distance,  Major  Hedley  Kynaston. 

Lovatt.  You  may  say  what  you  like  against 
her,  but  Olive  Arnison  is  a  devilish  fascinating 
woman. 

Barton.  I  hadn't  been  five  minutes  in 
her  company  before  I  felt  I  should  do  any 
fool's  trick  she  asked  me,  and  say  "Thank 
you." 

Lovatt.  It's  a  wonderful  power  that  some 
women  have  —  the  Lady  Hamilton  power  of 
making  a  silly  fool  of  every  man  they  come 
across.     And  Olive  Arnison  has  got  it. 

Radnage  (a  good-humoured,  witty,  rhetorical, 
clever,  broken-down  man  of  fifty -five — "  JVobody' s 
enemy  but  his  own").  So  has  every  good-look- 
ing woman. 


2  CARNAC    SAHIB  act   i 

Barton.  Oh  no,  Billy.  There  are  some 
beautiful  women  that  freeze  you  like  an  ice- 
berg. And  there  are  others,  by  Jove,  if  they'd 
only  be  kind  enough  to  walk  over  you  and 
wipe  their  pretty  little  shoes  on  you,  you'd  love 
them  all  the  more  for  it,  bless  their  hearts. 

Radnage  (jpomftous,  florid,  mock-oratorical.  He 
has  had  several  glasses).  My  son  Richard,  the 
philosophy  of  this  matter  lies  in  a  nut-shell. 
Given  any  one  of  these  divine  creatures  with 
beauty,  the  question  arises,  "Hath  she  also 
virtue?"  For  then  her  beauty  is  naught;  it 
is  dead  and  cold ;  it  hath  no  pulse  or  relish 
of  life  in  it.  But,  given  any  one  of  these 
divine  creatures  with  beauty,  and  let  that 
beauty  be  easy  of  access,  marketable,  benign, 
and  of  sovereign  comfort  to  the  wayfaring 
rapscallion,  man  {pointing  to  himself),  then  is 
he  fired  to  his  destiny.  He  hastens  to  be  her 
slave,  and  goeth  rejoicingly  to  red  ruin  and 
blue  damnation  for  her  sake.  Virtue,  my  son 
Richard,  is  a  deadly  and  nauseous  enemy  to 
beauty.  And  for  all  our  treble  rhinoceros- 
hide  of  damnable  hypocrisy,  we  Englishmen 
know  it.  And  act  upon  it !  Tell  me,  my  son 
Richard,  who  lies  snuggest  and  warmest  in 
the  hearts  of  the  English  people,  Nell  Gwynne 
or  Hannah  More  ?  Find  me  one  tolerably 
attractive   virtuous   woman    in    all    the   roll-call 


scene   i  CARNAC    SAHIB  3 

of  history,  and  I  will  own  to  you  that  in  par- 
celling out  the  capacious  freehold  of  my  heart 
in  small  residential  plots  for  these  divine  crea- 
tures to  build  upon  and  inhabit,  I  have  made 
a  mistake,  and  I  stand  before  you  at  fifty-five, 
socially,  morally,  spiritually,  and  professionally, 
a  failure,  a  ghastly  and  lamentable  failure,  a 
wreck   and   a   ruin  !  {Drinks.) 

Kynaston  {has  been  away  from  the  group,  but 
early  in  the  previous  conversation  has  turned  to 
listen  to  it,  unnoticed  by  them.  He  now  comes 
forward  to  them,  a  handsome,  manly  Englishman, 
rather  under  forty,  with  a  very  open,  winning, 
candid  face.  Speaks  very  quietly).  And  aren't 
you  a  failure,  a  wreck,  and  a  ruin,  Billy? 

Radnage  {ashamed).      Kynaston  ! 

Kynaston.  And  isn't  it  enough  for  you  to 
have  made  a  mess  of  your  own  life,  old  boy, 
but  you  must  needs  show  these  youngsters  the 
way  to  make  a  mess  of  theirs  ?  Don't  believe 
him,  you  lads  !  It's  a  lie  that  there's  any 
lasting  happiness  apart  from  a  pure  and  vir- 
tuous woman  !  Take  my  word  for  it.  No, 
take  his,  for  he  has  made  the  experiment. 
Billy,  tell  them  again  what  you  are  at  fifty- 
five. 

Radnage  {much  ashamed).  I'm  sorry,  Kynas- 
ton !  He's  right,  my  boys  !  Take  godly  advice 
from  him  and  an  awful  warning  from  me.      It's 


4  CARNAC    SAHIB  act   i 

all  I'm  fit  for  !     Upon  my  soul,  Kynaston,  I'm 
awfully  sorry  ! 

(Shambles  off  ashamed,  half  whistling  a  few 
notes  to  hide  his  discomfiture.     Exit.~) 

Kynaston.  You  were  dining  at  Lady  Scriv- 
ener's last  night,  Dicky.  Did  you  see  anything 
of  the  quarrel  between  Carnac  and  Syrett  ? 

Barton.  Yes.  All  through  the  dinner  Mrs. 
Arnison  was  cooing  and  flirting  with  Syrett. 
Carnac  watched  them  for  a  few  minutes,  looking 
as  grim  as  old  Nick.  Then  he  began  to  talk  ; 
chaffed  Syrett  unmercifully  ;  got  Mrs.  Arnison's 
attention,  and  kept  the  ball  rolling  till  the  ladies 
left  the  room. 

Kynaston.     And  then  ? 

Barton.  We  had  a  bad  quarter  of  an  hour 
till  we  got  into  the  drawing-room.  Then  Car- 
nac went  straight  up  to  Mrs.  Arnison,  got  her 
to  sing,  and  Syrett  never  spoke  a  word  all  the 
rest  of  the  evening  till  he  got  outside. 

Kynaston.     What  then  ? 

Lovatt.  They  began  sparring.  It  was  all 
we  could  do  to  keep  them  apart. 

Barton.  I  dragged  Carnac  off  to  the  club 
and  sat  drinking  whisky  with  him  till  three  this 
morning. 

Lovatt.  I  went  back  with  Syrett  to  his 
bungalow. 

Barton.     Awkward,    an    affair  of    this  kind 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  5 

coming  just  now  when  the  General's  away,  and 
all  this  bother  with  the  natives. 


Enter  the  Reverend  Jimmy  Hobbs,  a  round- 
faced,  good-tempered,  jolly-looking  young  English 
clergyman,  with  nothing  clerical  about  him 
except  his  dress. 

Hobbs.  I  say,  you  fellows,  this  is  getting 
serious. 

Barton.     What's  getting  serious,  Padri  ? 

Hobbs.  Well,  you  know,  though  I  am  a 
clergyman,  I  never  interfere  in  my  neighbours' 
business.  But  somebody  ought  to  say  a  word 
to  Carnac  and  Syrett,  or — only  it  would  be  such 
a  sneakish  thing  to  do — give  a  hint  to  Arnison 
to  come  here  and  look  after  his  wife. 

Lovatt.      Oh,  Arnison  knows  all  about  it. 

Barton.  It's  six  of  one  and  half-a-dozen  of 
the  other.  Arnison  has  always  done  as  he 
pleases,  so  now  he's  obliged  to  let  her  do  as 
she  pleases. 

Hobbs.     It's   a   thousand   pities   for  Carnac. 

Barton.  Let's  hope  we  shall  get  a  jolly 
good  set-to  in  a  day  or  two  with  the  natives, 
and  that  will  take  Carnac's  mind  off  her. 

Lovatt  {to  Kvnaston).  What  do  you  think, 
Major?  We  shall  have  a  brush  with  them 
soon,  sha'n't  we  ? 


6  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Kynaston.  Carnac's  going  to  move  this 
afternoon,  I  believe,  if  the  news  is  favourable 
for  a  night  attack. 

Barton.  Good  !  By  Jove,  I  long  to  get  at 
the  devils. 

Enter  Ali  Khan,  Carnac's  orderly,  from 
bungalow.     He  salutes. 

All  Carnac  Sahib  sends  his  salaam.  Will 
all  Officers  Sahibs  please  go  to  Carnac  Sahib  in 
his  office? 

Kynaston.     Is  there  any  fresh  news  ? 
Ali.     Carnac   Sahib   has  just   received  very 
important  telegraphic  message. 

(Ali  salaams  and  exit  into  bungalow .) 
Barton  (digging  Hobbs  in  the  ribs).     I  say 
Padri,   you    rank    old    duffer,    aren't    you    sorry 
you're  going  to  be  out  of  this  ? 

Hobbs.  I'm  not  sure  I  shall  be  out  of  it, 
Dicky.  But  I  shall  do  my  duty,  whether  it 
happens  to  be  an  odd  job  of  fighting,  or  reading 
the  burial  service  over  you  ! 

(Exeunt  Barton  and  Lovatt  into  bunga- 
low. Kynaston  is  following,  wlien 
enter  into  the  compound  Colonel  Sy- 
rett.  Syrett  is  a  thin,  severe,  sharp- 
featured  man  about  forty,  taciturn  and 
outwardly  cold.) 


scene   I  CARNAC    SAHIB  7 

Kynaston.  The  Colonel  has  just  had  an  im- 
portant telegram.  He  has  sent  for  us  to  go  to  him. 

Syrett.      Has  he  ? 

Kynaston.     Won't  you  come  in  ? 

Syrett.     Yes,  when   I'm  ready. 

{Enter  Kynaston  into  bungalow.') 

Hobbs.  I  say,  Syrett — you  won't  misunder- 
stand me? 

Syrett.     Go  on. 

Hobbs.  Two  jolly  good  fellows,  old  friends 
of  mine  and  old  friends  of  each  other,  are  get- 
ting at  loggerheads  about  a — well,  if  I  wasn't  a 
parson  I  should  say  she  was  a — well,  I  should 
call  her  a — well,  everything  that  isn't  polite. 
But  I'll  simply  say  she's  a  lady  who  is  bound  to 
bring  one  or  the  other  or  both  of  these  jolly 
good  fellows  to  trouble  and  disgrace  if  they 
don't  cut  her. 

Syrett.  Let  us  hope  that  one  of  these  jolly 
good  fellows  will  cut  the  lady,  or  that  she  will 
cut  him. 

Hobbs.     And  the  other  ? 

Syrett.  The  other  doesn't  need  your  ad- 
vice, Padri. 

Enter  into  the  compound  Olive  Arnison,  a  supple, 
soft-voiced,  fascinating  tuoman  about  thirty. 

Olive.  Good  morning,  Colonel  Syrett. 
Good  Morning,  Mr.  Hobbs. 


8  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  I 

Hobbs  {curtly).     Good  morning. 

Olive.     Am  I  in  your  way  ? 

Hobbs.     Not  in  mine,  I  assure  you. 

{Exit. ) 

Olive.  There  is  some  fresh  news,  isn't 
there  ? 

Syrett.  Yes,  I  believe  Carnac's  had  an 
important  telegram.     You  aren't  alarmed? 

Olive.  No.  There's  no  danger  for  us  poor 
fluttering  she-things  ? 

Syrett.  Do  you  think  I'd  let  you  stay  here 
a  moment  if  there  were. 

Olive  {eagerly).  But  there  will  be  some 
fighting  ? 

Syrett.  Yes.  A  good  sharp  tussle.  It's 
only  a  matter  of  smashing  the  Rajah  and  hang- 
ing a  few  hundred  natives. 

Olive.  And  that  will  be  easy  work  for 
Colonel  Carnac  ? 

Syrett.     You  think  so. 

Olive.  Yes.  His  record  is  such  a  splendid 
one.  And  I  hear  that  he  has  the  same  power 
over  men  that  he  has  over  women. 

Syrett.      Has  he  power  over  women  ? 

Olive.  I've  heard  so.  You  ought  to  know. 
You're   one   of   his   oldest  friends,  aren't  you  ? 

Syrett.     We  were  friends. 

Olive,     Aren't  you  friends  now  ? 

Syrett.     I'd  kill  my  brother  like  a  dog  if  he 


scene  i  CARNAC    SAHIB  9 

stood  between  me  and  you.  (Olive  laughs.} 
Why  do  you  laugh  ? 

Olive.  I  love  to  hear  men  talk.  The  first 
time  I  came  out  a  silly  boy  swore  to  jump 
overboard  if  I  didn't  promise  to  marry  him 
in  three  weeks.  The  next  morning  I  asked 
him  why  he  was  at  breakfast.  He  showed 
me  a  razor  that  he  had  sharpened,  and  swore 
he  would  do  it  that  way,  outside  my  cabin 
door. 

Syrett.     Well?     What  happened? 

Olive.  He  was  exquisitely  shaved  for  the 
rest  of  the  voyage,  and  behaved  very  badly 
to  a  governess  the  moment  we  landed  at  Cal- 
cutta. 

Syrett.  You  wish  to  see  me  sharpen  my 
razor  ? 

Olive.     For  whose  throat  ? 

Syrett.     Mine  —  or  yours  —  or  his  ? 

Olive.  Oh  don't  be  so  impartially  blood- 
thirsty. Go  and  kill  a  few  dozen  natives,  and 
let  that  satisfy  you. 

Syrett.  You  don't  think  I  should  keep  my 
vow  ? 

Olive  {looks  at  him  very  intently  for  a  few 
seeonds).  Yes.  I  think  you  would.  So  pray 
don't  make  one. 

Syrett.      But  if  I  have  already  made  one  ? 

Olive.     Then    I've    been    more    foolish    and 


10  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

thoughtless  than  I  intended.     But  it's  only  for 
a  few  days  more. 

Syrett.     Only  for  a  few  days  more  ? 

Olive.  My  husband  writes  me  that  his  sur- 
vey will  be  finished  in  another  week,  and  he 
expects  me  to  join  him  at  Simla  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. Meantime,  he  is  sending  his  sister  to 
take  care   of  me. 

Syrett.     But  you  won't  go  ? 

Olive  {smiles).  Not  till  I've  seen  Colonel 
Carnac  smash  the  Rajah. 

Syrett.  If  I  were  in  command  instead  of 
him 

Olive.     Ah  !     You  envy  him  ! 

Syrett.  No.  Promise  me  that  if  there's  a 
good  fight  you  won't  shilly-shally  with  me  any 
longer,  and  I'll  promise  you  that  I'll  either  get 
killed,  or  I'll  come  back  and  make  you  proud 
of  what   I've  done  for  you. 

Olive  {intensely  pleased).  Can  I  make  you 
fight? 

Syrett.  You  sha'n't  ask  me  that  if  I  come 
back  alive.  And  if  I  do,  there's  only  one  thing' 
I'll  ask  of  you,  and  I'll  only  take  one  answer. 

Enter    Mahomet   Ali,    bearer   to   Syrett. 
Mahomet  salaams  very  respectfully. 

Mahomet.     Carnac  Sahib  sent  his   pig  of  a 


scene   i  CARNAC    SAHIB  11 

servant  to  command  you  to  his  presence.  I 
said  you  were  not  at  home,  and  sent  the  pig 
back  to  his  master.  The  pig  come  back  to 
me  and   say  he   must   see  you. 

Syrett.      What  did  you  say  ? 

Mahomet.  I  say  I  know  not  where  to 
find  you,  and  I  drive  the  pig  away  from  the 
door. 

Enter  from  the  bungalow  Stacey  Carnac,  a  man 
rather  over  forty.  He  is  a  handsome  man  in 
the  prime  of  life,  his  face  giving  signs  that  he 
has  "  lived."  He  a?id  Syrett  stand  looking  at 
each  other.  Mahomet  salaams  to  Carnac,  then 
turns  very  submissively  to   Syrett. 

Mahomet  {to  Syrett).  Carnac  Sahib  com- 
mand the  Sahib  Syrett  to  attend  him  at  once. 
What  answer  shall  I  make  to  Carnac  Sahib  ? 

Syrett  {to  Mahomet).  Say  that  I'll  come 
at  the  earliest  moment  convenient. 

Mahomet  {goes  with  great  respect  to  Carnac). 
Syrett  Sahib  will  attend  Carnac  Sahib  at  the 
earliest  moment  convenient. 

Carnac  {taking  Mahomet  by  the  throat. 
Shaking  him).  Listen  !  This  is  the  second 
time  you've  dared  to  insult  my  servant.  The 
next  time  a  good  stout  English  rope  will  go  — 
queek  —  round    this    Oriental    neck    of    yours. 


12  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

{Shaking  him    by    the   throat.)      Queek  !      {Kicks 
Aim.) 

(Mahomet,  having  recovered  his  balance, 
is  going  off,  turns  and  looks  with  deadly 
hatred  at  Carnac  for  a  moment,  then 
salaams  profoundly  to  Carnac  and 
Syrett,  and  exit. ) 

Syrett.     Carnac,  that  man  is  my  servant 

Carnac.  Then,  my  dear  fellow,  teach  him 
to  behave  himself. 

Syrett.  I  am  responsible  for  his  behaviour. 
•  Carnac.  Then  it  will  be  the  more  easily 
corrected.  {Turns  to  Olive.)  Mrs.  Arnison, 
I'm  afraid  this  rising  will  be  a  stiffer  bit  of 
business  than  we  bargained  for.  I've  just  been 
talking  with  Lady  Scrivener,  and  I've  decided 
to    send    all    you    ladies    to    Barat. 

Olive.     But  what  can  we  do  there  ? 
Carnac.      Wait    until     the    General   comes 
with    reinforcements. 

Olive.  But  Colonel  Syrett  says  there's  no 
danger  here. 

Carnac.  Colonel  Syrett  is  scarcely  in  a 
position    to    judge. 

Syrett.  Are  you  keeping  important  infor- 
mation  to  yourself,  sir? 

Carnac.  Till  General  Scrivener  comes  up 
I'm  in  command  here,  and  I  act  upon  my  own 
responsibility. 


scene   I  CARNAC    SAHIB  13 

Syrett.  It's  scarcely  regular,  is  it,  sir, 
to  consult  the  ladies  of  the  Station  rather  than 
your  next  in  command  ? 

Carnac.  I  consult  neither  the  ladies  nor 
my  next  in  command.  In  a  matter  of  their 
safety  I  expect  them  to  obey  me,  and  (turning 
to  Olive)  I'm  sure  they  will.  In  a  matter  of 
discipline  (turning  to  Syrett)  I  expect  him  to 
obey  me,  and  I'll  take  good  care  that  he  does. 

Syrett  (with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders,  to 
Olive).  I'm  afraid  Mrs.  Arnison,  that  when 
my  superior  officer  cannot  enforce  a  particular 
kind  of  obedience  from  a  lady,  he  revenges 
himself  by  trying  to  exact  an  absurd  amount 
from  his  subordinates. 

Carnac  (fires  up,  then  with  perfect  self-co?itrol 
throws  a  stern  glance  of  warning  at  Syrett). 
My  dear  Arthur,  I  never  have  occasion  to  en- 
force obedience  from  ladies — I  always  find 
that  their  wishes  perfectly  coincide  with  my 
own,  and  (glancing  at  Olive)  I  don't  think  my 
luck  is  going  to  desert  me  now.  Mrs.  Arnison, 
let  me  take  you  over  to  Lady  Scrivener. 

Olive.  No.  How  is  it  that  I  always  make 
you  two  quarrel  ? 

Carnac.  There's  no  quarrel  on  my  side. 
(To  Olive.)     Time  presses 

Olive.  No,  I'd  rather  stay.  I've  been  out 
eight   years  and    I've   never  seen  any  fighting. 


14  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac.  You'll  scarcely  see  any  fighting  if 
you  do  stay.  But  you'll  most  likely  see  some 
very  ugly  sights. 

Olive.     Ugly  sights  ? 

Carnac.  Wounded  men  —  dead  men  —  na- 
tives being  hanged 

Olive.  How  horrid  !  Still  I'd  rather 
stay 

Carnac.     Believe  me,  it's  dangerous. 

Olive  {turns  to  Syrett).  Colonel  Syrett, 
do  you  think  it's  dangerous  ? 

Carnac.  I  beg  Colonel  Syrett  won't  use 
any    further   words. 

Syrett.  I  won't  sir.  But  you  may  find  me 
in  your  way  when  it  conies  to  deeds. 

Carnac  {with  great  warning).  I  hope  not, 
Arthur,  for  your  sake.     Now,  Mrs.  Arnison 

Olive.  No,  you  shan't  go.  Colonel  Syrett, 
you  come  with  me  to  Lady  Scrivener. 

Syrett  {delighted).     By  all  means. 

(  Going  off  with  her. ) 

Carnac.     Syrett 

Syrett.     Well,  sir  ? 

Carnac.  Please  tell  Lady  Scrivener  that  I 
send  all  the  ladies  of  the  Station  to  Barat  this 
afternoon,  and  ask  her  to  be  good  enough  to  be 
ready  at  two. 

Olive.  Indeed  {turn s  to  Syrett).  I  won't 
trouble  you  to  come  with  me,   Colonel  Syrett. 


scene   i  CARNAC    SAHIB  15 

Stay  and  help  Colonel  Carnac  plan  this  night 
attack.      I'm  sure  there's  no  danger  here. 

Carnac.      Believe  me,   there  is  —  a  little. 

Olive.  A  little  danger?  But  that's  delight- 
ful. I  want  to  have  ten  minutes  —  no,  half-an- 
hour's  delicious  fright.  I  want  to  feel  that  our 
lives  are  in  your  hands,  and  if  you  make  the 
least  little  slip  we  may  all  be  massacred.  Oh, 
I  want  to  feel  it !  And  then  to  escape  by  a 
miracle,  and  to  welcome  you  both*  back  just  as 
it  grows  light  to-morrow  morning,  with,  per- 
haps, a  little  wound  apiece,  eh  ?  Don't  you 
think  George  Edgecombe  looks  all  the  hand- 
somer for  that  slash  across  his  forehead?  Well, 
just  a  handsome  little  wound  like  that.  Not 
dangerous,  at  least  not  very  dangerous.  (Going 
off,  turns.')  Will  one  of  you  get  wounded,  do 
you  think  ?  Isn't  it  horrid  of  me  to  talk  like 
this  ?  Of  course,  you  won't  get  wounded,  will 
you?  (Exit.') 

Carnac.  Why  did  you  tell  Mrs.  Arnison 
she's  in  no  danger  here? 

Syrett.  Believe  me,  sir,  Mrs.  Arnison  is  in 
no  danger  while  she's  near  to  me. 

Carnac.  Syrett,  take  care.  You  are  pre- 
suming on  our  old  friendship.  Yesterday  you 
went  far  enough  to  justify  me  in  placing  you 
under  arrest. 

Syrett.      But  you  won't,  Stacey. 


16  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  I 

Carnac.      Do  you  challenge  me  ? 

Syrett.     Yes,  you  daren't. 

Carnac.      I  daren't. 

Syrett.  You  daren't  let  it  be  said  through- 
out the  service,  and  throughout  India,  that  you 
were  mean  enough  to  put  me  under  arrest  be- 
cause you  were  afraid  I  should  be  your  suc- 
cessful rival  with  a  woman. 

Enter  Kynaston. 

Carnac.  You're  right.  People  might  say 
that.  (  Very  contemptuously. )  You  might  say  it, 
too.      I  won't  give  you  the  chance. 

Kynaston.     What's  the  matter  ? 

Syrett.  He  talks  about  putting  me  under 
arrest — to  get  me  out  of  his  way  with  a  lady. 
What  do  you  say  to  that  ? 

Kynaston.  I  say  that  both  of  you  are 
senseless  and  cowardly  to  wrangle  about  a 
woman  at  such  a  moment  as  this,  when  every 
thought  and  every  energy  are  wanted  for  this 
business.  And  such  a  woman  !  Why  she's  no 
better  than 

Carnac.     Stop  that,  Hedley  ! 

Kynaston.  But  you've  heard  of  that  affair 
last  year 

Carnac.  Stop,  I  say.  Not  another  word 
about  her. 


scene   I  CARNAC    SAHIB  17 

Kynaston.  But  are  you  mad,  both  of  you  ? 
To  fly  at  each  other's  throats  when  everything 
depends  upon  our  keeping  together  and  work- 
ing for  our  very  lives.  The  rising  is  spreading  ; 
we  don't  know  where  it  may  break  out  next. 
Stacey,  think.  If  there  are  such  things  as 
duty  and  honour 

Carnac  {lighting a  cigarette}.  Cut  that  twad- 
dle, my  dear  old  psalm-singer.  I'm  going  to 
do  my  duty,  and  I'll  take  care  of  my  honour. 
{Turns  to  Syrett. )  Look  here,  Arthur,  we'll 
sink  our  private  differences  and  cany  through 
this  business  like  gentlemen.  And  when  this 
scrimmage  is  over  we'll  see  who's  best  man 
with  her.     Meantime  we  fight  fair. 

Syrett.     Very  well. 

Carnac.  Shake  hands  on  it.  (Syrett  gives 
his  hand  very  reluctantly.  They  shake  hands.  )  Go 
up  to  the  lines  and  see  that  everything  is 
ready  for  to-night. 

Syrett.      Yes,  sir.  {Going  off.) 

Carnac  (  calls  to  him ).  We  fight  fair, 
Arthur? 

Syrett  {as  he  goes  off).  We  fight  fair, 
Stacey.  {Exit.) 

Kynaston.  You  fight  fair  for  a  woman  who 
isn't  worth  a  thought  or  a  wish  from  either  of 
you.  There's  better  fighting  than  that  to  do 
just  now,  Stacey. 


18  CARXAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac.  Yes,  and  I  sha'n't  do  it  any  the 
worse  for  having  a  woman  at  the  back  of  me. 
And  whether  she's  good  or  bad  doesn't  matter 
a  curse.  Don't  look  shocked,  old  fellow.  It's 
the  nature  of  this  beast. 

Kynaston.  You  wouldn't  have  spoken  like 
that  when  Enid  was  alive. 

Carnac  [very  softly).  And  we  should  have 
been  really  brothers  if  she  had  lived. 

Kynaston.  The  last  few  months  I've  been 
glad,  Stacey,  that  she  didn't. 

Carnac  (moved).  You're  right.  I  daresay 
I  should  have  broken  her  heart.  But  I  did 
love  her,  Hedley. 

Kynaston.  Then  for  her  sake  give  up  this 
woman. 

Carnac.      No. 

Kynaston.     You  won't  ? 

Carnac.  No.  Oh,  my  dear  old  boy,  what's 
the  use  of  fussing  about  a  woman  ?  Or  a 
dozen  ?  Or  a  thousand,  for  that  matter  ?  I 
can  always  collar  myself  and  keep  them  at  a 
safe  distance. 

Kynaston.  What  do  you  call  a  safe  dis- 
tance ? 

Carnac.  When  fighting's  the  business,  ten 
thousand  miles.  When  love's  the  business, 
not  the  ten-thousandth  part  of  an  inch. 


scene   i  CARNAC    SAHIB  19 

E?iter  Olive. 

Kynaston  {glancing  at   Olive).      I'm    sorry, 
Stacey.  (  Going  off. ) 

Cornac  {calling  him).  Hedley  !  This  won't 
change  our  friendship,  old  fellow  ? 

Kynaston  {offering  hand).  Nothing  can 
change  our  friendship,  Stacey. 

{A  warm  handshake.  Olive  comes  up, 
bows  to  Kynaston,  who  bows  coldly  to 
her,  and  exits.) 

Olive  {triumphantly).  I've  been  to  Lady 
Scrivener.      I've  persuaded  her  to  stay. 

Carnac.  Then  I  must  persuade  you  both 
to  go. 

Olive.      How  ? 

Carnac.  By  the  gentlest  means  that  can  be 
employed  to  get  you  there. 

Olive.  I  want  so  much  to  stay  and  see  the 
fighting.  I  may  stay?  {He  shakes  his  head.) 
Yes? 

Carnac.      No. 

Olive  {with  great  insinuation).  If  Colonel 
Syrett  were  in  command  —  he  would  let  me 
stay.      He  knows  that  women  can  be  brave. 

Carnac.  And  I  know  that  they  can  be  — 
women. 

Olive.  Don't  you  want  me  to  see  you  come 
in  triumphant  to-morrow  morning,  just  as  it 
grows  light  ? 


20  CARNAC    SAHIB  ACT  I 

Carnac.  I  want  to  be  sure  that  you  are  safe. 
Then  I  shall  be  sure  of  myself  in  the  scrim- 
mage to-night. 

Olive  (in  the  same  tone  and  words  that  she  had 
used  to  Colonel  Syrett  in  the  earlier  scene). 
Can  I  make  you  fight  ? 

Carnac.  You  know  that  you  can  make  me 
do  anything. 

Olive.     Can  I  ? 

Carnac.  Anything  that  does  not  touch  my 
honour. 

Olive  (impatiently).  Oh,  honour,  honour, 
honour  !  What  a  silly,  tiresome  word !  You 
pretend  to  love  me  ! 

Carnac.     Pretend  ? 

Olive.      Then  let  me  stay. 

Carnac.     No. 

Olive  (flashes  round  on  him).  I  won't  go. 
Do  you  hear  ?     I  will  stay  here. 

Carnac  (takes  her  two  wrists  and  shakes  her 
with  grim  playfulness,  half  tender,  half  stern. 
Very  firmly).  Listen.  I  love  you.  And  when 
this  is  over  I'll  make  you  love  me.  But,  mean- 
time, you'll  go  to  Barat  this  afternoon.  You'll 
go,  my  charming  rebel,  if  I  have  to  strap  these 
pretty  limbs  of  yours  to  the  gharry  and  drive 
you  there  myself,  to  the  music  of  your  screams 
all  the  fifteen  miles.  Now  do  you  understand 
that  I   mean  you  shall  go  ? 


scene   I                        CARNAC    SAHIB  21 

Olive.       Yes  !      And    I     love    you,  Stacey 

Carnac,   for  making   me   go.     You're   a  braver 
man  than  Colonel  Syrett,  after  all. 


Enter  Hobbs  with  Betts,  an  English  soldier. 

Carnac.     Well,  Padri  ? 

Hobbs.      I  beg  pardon,  sir,  but  here's  one  of 
the  Fyzapore  men. 

Carnac  (to  Soldier).     What  is  it  ? 
Betts.      Despatch  from  Mr.  Ford,  sir. 


Enter  Kynaston.     Carnac  takes  despatch,  opens 
it  eagerly,  shows  surprise  and  angry  impatience. 

Kynaston.     Anything  the  matter  sir  ? 

Carnac.  The  Nawab  of  Fyzapore  has 
broken  out.  All  the  Englishmen  have  had  to 
fly  for  their  lives.  Ford  and  his  daughter  have 
escaped  into  the  country.  It  couldn't  have 
happened  at  a  worse  time.  (Takes  out  watch.) 
Half-past  twelve.  There's  no  time  to  be  lost. 
They  must  be  rescued  at  once.  (To  Soldier.) 
Do  you  know  where  Mr.  Ford  and  the  English 
ladies  are  now? 

Betts.  They  were  making  off  towards  Lal- 
serai,  sir.  We  shall  find  them  hiding  some- 
where about  there. 


22  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac.      How  long  will  it  take  to  get  there? 

Betts.  It  has  taken  me  three  hours  to 
come  over,  sir. 

Hobbs.  If  you're  going  over,  sir,  perhaps 
you  wouldn't  mind  my  riding  with  you.  You're 
short  of  men,  and  I  may  come  in  handy  for 
something  or  the  other. 

Carnac.  Very  well,  Padri,  But  first  tell 
Mr.  Barton  I   want  him  here  at  once. 

Hobbs.      Right,  sir.  {Exit.) 

Carnac  (to  Soldier).  Go  and  get  some- 
thing to  eat,  and  be  ready  to  take  us  to  Mr. 
Ford  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

Betts.      Yes,  sir.  (Exit.) 

Carnac.  Kynaston,  tell  your  company  to 
fall  in  at  once. 

Kynaston.     Yes,  sir. 

(Exit.     Carnac   walks  up  and  down   in 
indecision.) 

Olive.     What's  the  matter  ? 

Carnac.  Ford  must  be  relieved  at  once.  I 
don't  know  whether  to  send  Syrett  in  command 
or  to  go  myself. 

Olive.  Why  let  Colonel  Syrett  have  the 
honour  of  rescuing  these  beautiful  maidens  in 
distress  ? 

Carnac.     Beautiful  maidens  ! 

Olive.  Miss  Ford  is  young  and  beautiful, 
isn't  she  ? 


scene   i  CARNAC    SAHIB  23 

Carnac.  Is  she  ?  It  doesn't  matter  what 
she  is.  If  I  go,  I  leave  Colonel  Syrett  here  in 
command. 

Olive.     Well  ? 

Carnac.     And  you're  here. 

Olive.  But  I'm  to  leave  for  Barat  this 
afternoon. 

Carnac.  You'll  be  here  some  time  with  him 
before  you  start.  Promise  me  if  I  go — oh  !  I'm 
a  mad,  jealous  fool — Promise  me  you  won't 
speak  to  Syrett  while  I'm  away. 

Olive.     Not  speak  to  him  ? 

Carnac.  I'm  going  to  Fyzapore  for  your 
sake. 

Olive.      Is  it  for  me  ?     Is  it? 

Carnac.  Yes.  And  I  can't  bear  to  leave 
you  a  moment  with  Syrett.  You  won't  speak 
to  him  while  I'm  gone?  (She  laughs.)  Ah!  I 
won't  be  so  small.  (Snaps  his  finger.)  Do  as 
you  please.  Let  him  win  you  if  he  can. 
(Going  off.)     Good-bye! 

Olive.  Colonel  Carnac  !  (He  stops.)  Since 
you  wish  it,  I  won't  speak  to  Colonel  Syrett 
while  you're  away. 

Carnac.     You  swear  ? 

Olive  (giving  him  her  hand).      I  swear. 

Carnac.  Thanks.  (Kisses  her  hand.)  I 
shall  do  something  now  ! 


24  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Enter  Syrett. 

Syrett  {to  Olive).  Are  you  going  to  run 
away  to  Barat  ?  Or  are  you  going  to  be  brave 
and  stay?  (Olive  does  not  reply.)  Won't  you 
speak  to  me  ? 

(Olive  puts  her  finger  on  her  lip.  Sy- 
rett looks  to  Carnac  for  an  expla- 
nation. ) 

Enter  Barton. 

Carnac  {to  Syrett,  glancing  at  Olive,  grate- 
ful and  delighted ).  Arthur,  the  Nawab  of  Fyza- 
pore  has  broken  out  and  hunted  all  Europeans 
from  the  town.  I  am  taking  Kynaston  and  his 
company  to  rescue  Ford  and  the  ladies.  I  shall 
be  back  to  lead  the  attack  against  the  Rajah. 
(Syrett  is  looking  at  Olive,  surprised  at  her 
silence. )     Do  you  hear  me  ? 

Syrett.      Yes,  sir. 

Carnac.  Mr.  Barton,  you'll  take  all  the 
ladies  of  the  Station  with  an  escort  to  Barat. 
Be  sure  you  see  them  in  safety  there. 

Barton.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac.  Start  at  once,  and  be  back  at  ten 
to-night  to  join  the  night  attack. 

Barton.      Yes,  sir. 

Enter  Kynaston. 
Carnac.     All  ready,  Kynaston  ? 


scene   I  CARNAC    SAHIB  25 

Kynaston.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac.  I'm  going  to  lead  myself.  (To 
Olive.)     Good-bye. 

Olive.      Good-bye. 

Carnac.  Colonel  Syrett,  liave  everything 
ready  for  me  at  ten  to-night. 

Syrett.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac.     Now,  Kynaston 

(Exit,  followed  by  Kynaston.) 

Barton  {to  Olive).  You  ladies  ought  to  be 
packing. 

Olive.      We  needn't  start  till  two. 

Barton.  The  Colonel  said  we  were  to  start 
at  once. 

Olive.      Oh,  is  there  any  hurry? 

Barton.  Yes,  I  think.  You  see,  if  we 
don't  get  off  at  once  I  sha'n't  be  back  in  time 
for  the  attack  to-night,  and  I  don't  want  to  be 
out  of  it.  (To  Syrett. )  Don't  you  think  the 
ladies  ought  to  start  at  once,  sir  ? 

Syrett.  I  don't  think  they  need  start  at  all. 
Do  you,  Mrs.  Arnison  ? 

(Olive  does  not  reply,  but  sjniles  and  puts 
her  finger  on  her  lip. ) 

Enter    Captain    Bell,    in   great   haste   and 
excitement. 

Bell.     Is  the  Colonel  here,  sir  ? 


2(i  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Syrett.  I'm  in  command  here.  What's 
the  matter  ? 

Bell.  I've  been  reconnoitring  round  Blake- 
pore,  sir.  The  Rajah  is  creeping  up  to  us.  I 
feel  sure  he  means  to  attack  us  this  after- 
noon. 

Syrett  {suddenly  elated  with  an  idea).  The 
Rajah  means  to  attack  us  this  afternoon  ? 
Good  !    Good  ! 

Barton  (starting  off).  Shall  I  go  and  tell 
Colonel  Carnac  ? 

Syrett.     No.     Stay. 

Barton.  But  he  hasn't  left  the  lines. 
Hadn't  I  better  let  him  know. 

Syrett.  What  for  ?  I'm  in  command  here. 
(To  Bell.)  The  Rajah's  just  the  other  side  of 
Blakepore,  you  say  ? 

Bell.  Yes,  sir.  We  ought  to  be  formed  at 
once  to  be  ready  for  him. 

Syrett.     Very  well. 

Barton.  Mrs.  Arnison,  I'll  get  you  ladies 
away  at  once. 

Syrett.  No,  Barton.  I  shall  want  every 
man  here.  I'm  going  to  attack  the  Rajah  this 
afternoon  before  he  attacks  us. 

Barton.  Without  letting  Colonel  Carnac 
know,  sir  ? 

Syrett.  I'll  let  Colonel  Carnac  know — in 
good  time. 


scene   I  CARNAC    SAHIB  27 

Syrett  {to  Olive).  There  will  be  some 
fighting  at  Blakepore,  perhaps  nearer.  Are 
you  afraid  to  stay?  {She  shakes  her  head.) 
You'd  rather  stay?     {She  nods.) 

Syrett    {to    Barton).     Go    and    tell    Lady 
Scrivener  that  the  ladies  will  not  go  to  Barat. 
Barton.      Yes,  sir.  {Exit.) 

Syrett  {to  Bell).      Go  to  the  lines  and  tell 
Major  Hartford  to  parade  all  the  men  at  once. 
Bell.     Yes,  sir.  {Exit.) 

Syrett  {to  Olive).  You  wish  to  stay? 
{She  nods.)  It's  dangerous.  {She  smiles.)  Why 
won't  you  speak?  {She  smiles  and  shakes  her 
head.  Savagely. )  Carnac  has  closed  your  lips  ? 
{She  smiles  and  nods. )  When  he  returns  he'll 
find  I've  smashed  the  Rajah  for  him,  and  saved 
him  the  trouble.     Shall  I  win  ? 

(Olive  nods  very  emphatically.) 
Syrett.      Wish   me    luck.      (Olive    nods  and 
smiles.)     Give   me   that  rose. 

{He  is  about  to  take  the  rose,  but  she 
shakes  her  head,  puts  her  hand  to  re- 
strain him  from  taking  the  rose,  and 
offers  him  her  lips  with  sudden  aban- 
donment ;  he  kisses  her ;  she  then  im- 
periously points  to  him  to  go.  Exit 
Syrett.  She  stands  waving  him  an 
adieu.     Scene  closed  in  by  Scene  2.) 


28  CARNAC    SAHIB 


Scene   II 

A    Ruined   Indian  Temple.     Front   Scene   to  Set 
in  Front  of  Scene  I 

At  back,  crumbling-  wall  of  old  marble  covered  with 
■weather-stains,  moss,  and  vegetation.  Crumbling 
zuall  to  the  r.,  with  a  little  broken  entrance.  To 
the  l.,  a  wall  with  an  archway  as  if  at  the  top 
of  steps.  A  large  seat  in  the  tnasonry,  l.  A 
large  branch  of  a  tree  comes  through  a  hole  at 
the  bottom  of  the  wall,  r.  The  time  is  night. 
Occasional  shouts  and  cries  in  the  distance. 
Stray  shots.  Bugle  calls.  Flickers  of  light  come 
occasionally  through  the  opening,  r.,  as  if  from 
houses   burning    in    the    distance. 

Discover  Ellice  Ford  and  Amina,  her  Ayah.  Ellice 
is  ordinarily  a  very  bright,  attractive,  laughing 
English  girl  of  twenty;  she  is  uozv  dishevelled,  her 
dress  is  torn,  her  hair  disordered,  and  she  shows 
signs  of  fatigue  and  anxiety.  The  Ayah  is  a 
Mahommedan  -woman  about  twenty-five.  Flickers 
of  the  conflagration  come  fitfully  through  the  open- 
ing in  zuall  and  light  tip  their  faces. 


Ellice  {steals  to  opening,  r.  ).     They': 
ing  another  house,  Major  Weston's  ! 

Amina.     Come    away,    Miss    Sahib ;    they 
see    your    face. 


re  burn- 

'11 


scene   ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  29 

Ellice.  There's  another  beginning  to 
smoke.      It's   our   own!     Isn't   it?     Look! 

Amina  {peeping  out).  Yes,  dear  Miss  Sahib! 
Come  away  ! 

Ellice.  Oh  the  fiends !  And  my  little 
May!  If  they  should  touch  her  —  oh,  Ayah, 
tell  me  that  my  darling  is  safe,  even  if  you 
don't    believe    it. 

Amina.  Don't  fret,  Miss  Sahib.  Your 
noble  father  is  sure  to  find  the  dear  little  Miss 
Sahib  and   bring   her  to   you. 

Ellice  (in  a  frightened  whisper).  But  my 
father  may  be  killed  himself  !  And  the  other 
ladies,  Madge  Lovelace  and  the  rest  —  how 
did   they   manage   to   get   parted    from   us? 

Amina.  Oh,  Miss  Sahib,  it's  a  mercy  that 
any   of    us   are   alive. 

{Sounds  of  distant  shots   occasionally.) 

Ellice.  Do  you  think  we  might  risk  it 
and   venture   out? 

Amina.  No,  no,  Miss  Sahib.  Your  noble 
father  command  us  stay  here  till  he  come  to 
rescue   us. 

Ellice.  But  if  Colonel  Carnac  hasn't 
rescued  him  !  That  must  have  been  Colonel 
Carnac  and  his  men  who  came  up  and  drove 
the   Nawab's   men    back  ? 

Amina.  Yes,  surely  that  was  the  noble 
Carnac   Sahib. 


30  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Ellice.  Then  why  doesn't  he  come  ?  They 
surely  won't  leave  us  all  night  in  this  place. 
{Peeping  out  of  opening.*)  Look  !  Aren't  those 
soldiers  creeping  behind  those  trees  ?  Ah  ! 
they're    going    away  ! 

{Tramp  of  retreating  men  at  a   distance, 
and  then  silence. ) 

Amina.  Come  and  rest  a  little  while,  Miss 
Sahib,  and  when  your  noble  father  comes  you 
will  be  ready  to  march  again. 

Ellice  {reclining  on  seat).  March  ?  Oh,  why 
doesn't  Colonel  Carnac  come  ? 

Amina.  He  is  very  brave,  this  Carnac 
Sahib  ? 

Ellice.  Oh,  yes.  I  met  him  at  Simuri 
the  year  before  last,  just  after  he  had  done 
that  splendid  forced  march  to  Kurghan.  I 
danced  with  him  twice  at  my  first  ball  out 
here.  And  a  week  after  I  met  him  near  the 
rope  bridge  over  the  river.  They  said  the 
bridge  wasn't  safe,  and  I  daren't  cross  it. 
When  Colonel  Carnac  saw  I  was  afraid,  he 
came  up  and  offered  to  help  me  over.  So  I 
thanked  him,  and  he  put  his  arm  round  me 
and  told  me  to  shut  my  eyes  and  not  to  open 
them  till  I  was  safe  on  the  other  side.  But  I 
didn't  feel  a  bit  afraid.  I  knew  I  was  safe 
with  him.  So  when  we  were  half  way  over 
I   opened   my  eyes   and   there  we  were,  swing- 


scene   II  CARNAC    SAHIB  31 

ing.  swinging,  swinging,  with  the  river  roaring 
five  hundred  feet  below  us,  and  only  those  bits 
of  rope  to  save  us  from  being  dashed  to 
pieces.  Oh,  it  was  delightful  —  and  now! 
Oh,  why  doesn't  he  come?  {Shouts  and  a 
bugle  call.  Tramp  of  approaching  men.*)  Hark! 
What's   that  ? 

Amina  {looking  off  l. ,  listening').     Some  men 
coming. 

Ellice     {breathless).        Are     they     English? 
Are    they    English  ? 

Amina.      Hush,    Miss    Sahib. 

{The  two  women  listen  in  an  agony  of 
terror,  and  cling  together  and  with- 
draw into  the  opening,  r.  Noise  of 
feet  tramping  up  the  staircase. ) 

Enter,    l.,    Carnac,   Hobbs,   Lovatt,   Officers, 
Betts,  and  Soldiers. 

Carnac.       Bring    me    that    light.       (Soldier 
brings  him  a  lantern.)      Is   anyone   here? 

Ellice  {coming  out  of  opening).      Colonel  Car- 
nac, is  it  you  ? 

Carnac.     Yes.     Who  is  it  ? 

{Holding  light  to  her  face.) 

Ellice.     Don't  you  know  me  ? 
Carnac.      No,  who  are  you  ? 
Ellice.     Ellice  Ford. 


32  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac  {carelessly).  That's  all  right.  We 
were   looking   for  you. 

Ellice  {very  disappointed).  You  don't  re- 
member me  ? 

Carnac.  No.  {Holding  lantern  in  her  face.) 
Oh,  yes,  I  helped  you  across  the  rope  bridge. 
I'd  forgotten. 

Ellice.  We  met  several  times  the  year 
before    last. 

Carnac.     Did  we  ?     I  don't  remember. 

Ellice.  I've  been  expecting  you  all  the 
afternoon. 

Carnac.  I  ought  to  have  been  here  three 
hours  ago,  but  the  Nawab  gave  me  a  lot  of 
trouble.  Now  I'm  going  to  send  you  back  to 
Dilghaut.      Can  you  start  at  once  ? 

Ellice.     My  father?     Is  he  safe? 

Carnac.     Yes,  he'll  be  here  in  a  moment. 

Ellice.  And  my  little  sister  and  the  other 
ladies  ? 

Carnac.  Haven't  seen  anything  of  them. 
Now,   are  you  ready   to   start? 

Ellice  {bursting  into  tears  of  relief).  Oh,  I 
thought  they  would  leave  us  to  die  here.  I 
thought  you'd  never  come! 

Carnac  {takes  out  watch).  Past  seven 
o'clock.       Come,    come,    you    mustn't    cry. 

Ellice.  I  won't.  I  shall  be  better  di- 
rectly.       {She  sobs  a   little  in   Amina's   arms.) 


scene   ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  33 

Carnac.  I  can  give  you  just  thirty  sec- 
onds to  recover,  and  another  thirty  seconds 
to   prepare   for   your  journey. 

Ellice.  I'm  ready.  Can  I  say  good-bye  to 
my  father  ? 

Carnac.  Not  unless  he  comes  at  once. 
Oh  !    here  he  is. 

Enter  Mr.    Ford,   the   Commissioner  at  Fyzapore, 
an  Englishman  between  fifty  and  sixty,  armed. 

Carnac.  Oh,  Ford,  here  you  are.  Where's 
Kynaston  ? 

Ford.      Hasn't  he  got  here,  sir  ? 

Carnac.  No,  I  thought  he  was  with  your 
party. 

Ford.  No,  sir.  We  got  parted  just  as  we 
were  peppering  those  beggars  in  the  palms. 

Carnac  {still  looking  at  watch").  I  must  be 
back  to  Dilghaut  at  ten  to  lead  the  night  attack. 
Now  listen.  You  must  hold  Fyzapore  at  any 
cost. 

Ford.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac.  I'll  leave  you  Kynaston  and  his 
company.  When  he  turns  up,  take  him  back 
with  you.  The  palace  is  the  best  place  to  de- 
fend. Tell  him  to  hold  it  until  I  can  relieve 
you. 

Ford.     Yes,  sir. 


34  CARNAC    SAHIB  ACT  I 

Carnac.     Where  are  the  other  ladies  ? 

Ford.  I  can't  say,  sir.  My  youngest  girl 
is  with  them.  We  shall  find  them  in  safety 
somewhere,  I  hope. 

Carnac.  Send  them  to  Dilghaut  if  you  can 
do  so  without  risk.  If  that's  impossible,  take 
them  back  to  Fyzapore.  I'll  send  Miss  Ford 
onto  Dilghaut.  {To  Ellice.)  You'll  be  safe 
there  with  Lady  Scrivener. 

Ellice.  But  my  father  and  little  sister  ? 
Oughtn't  I  to  stay  with  you  ? 

Ford.  No,  no,  my  dear,  you'll  be  safer  at 
Dilghaut. 

(Ellice  and  her  father  stand  aside  and 
are  see?i  to  be  saying  good-bye  to  each 
other. ) 

Carnac.  Mr.  Lovatt,  go  and  see  if  the 
palkis  are  ready  for  Miss  Ford  and  her  Ayah. 
You  will  please  escort  her  to  Dilghaut. 

Lovatt.     Yes,  sir.  {Exit.) 

Ellice  {to  Ford).  Give  my  dearest,  dear- 
est love  to  May.  Tell  her  if  she  can't  come  to 
me  at  Dilghaut,  I'll  come  to  her  at  Fyzapore 
as  soon  as  they'll  let  me. 

(Carnac  has  been  looking  at  his  watch, 
chafing  with  impatience.)  r 

Carnac.  Miss  Ford,  if  you  start  at  once  I 
can  put  you  safely  on  the  high  road.  (A  noise 
outside.)     What's    that?      Kynaston  !      {Looking 


scene   II  CARNAC    SAHIB  35 

off  L.  Kynaston  staggers  in,  wounded.)  My 
dear  fellow !  It's  not  serious  ?  Say  it's  not 
serious,  Hedley  ! 

Kynaston.  I  don't  know.  Don't  bother 
about  me. 

Carnac.  But  I  must.  I'll  take  you  back 
with  me  ? 

Kynaston.  I  couldn't  hold  out.  You  go 
and  smash  the  Rajah,  and  leave  me  to  pull 
through  if  I   can. 

Carnac  {to  Hobbs).  Padri  !  take  the  great- 
est care  of  Major  Kynaston.  I'll  send  Rad- 
nage  out  to  him  the  moment  I  get  back. 
Ford,  you  will  see  that  everything  is  done  for 
Major  Kynaston? 

Ford.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac  (Jo  Kynaston).  Good-bye,  old  fel- 
low  

Kynaston.     Good-bye Don't  wait. 

Enter  Lovatt. 

Lovatt.  The  palkis  are  waiting  for  Miss 
Ford. 

Carnac.  Now  Miss  Ford,  now  Ayah. 

{Exit  Carnac  —  exit  Ayah,  l.  ) 

Ellice.  Good-bye,  father.      I  can't  bear  to 

leave  you.  Oh,  if  we  should  never  meet 
again  ! 


36  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Ford.     We  shall  meet  again,  dear,  either  on 

this  earth  or 

Lovatt.      If  you're  ready,  Miss  Ford. 
Ellice.     Quite  ready. 

( Throws  her  father  a  last  agonized  look, 

and  exit,  l.  ,  followed  by  Lovatt.     A 

moment's    pause.       Ford     returns     to 

Kynaston.  ) 

Carnac    (re-entering     hurriedly,    goes    up    to 

Kynaston).      Hedley,    my  dear   old    fellow — I 

can't  leave  you.      I'll  carry  you  with  me  on  my 

back  to    Dilghaut,  and    damn   all    the  glory  of 

smashing   the  Rajah. 

Kynaston  {almost  speechless,  waves  him  to  go). 

No  — no  —  go  — go 

(Carnac  shakes  hands  with  him  very 
warmly,  and  then  hurries  off  L.,  leav- 
ing group  gathered  around  Kynaston. 
Scene  is  darkened  and  drawn  up,  and 
discovers  Scene  III. ) 


CARNAC    SAHIB  37 


Scene  III 


The    Road    in     Front    of     Olive     Arnison's 
Bungalow 

The  bungalow  is  to  the  l.  of  the  stage,  and  takes 
up  about  three-quarters  of  the  stage  at  back, 
showing  a  view  of  an  Indian  city  to  the  r.  at  back. 
Creepej's  in  front  of  the  bungalow.  There  is  a 
veranda  running  all  around  the  bungalow,  ap- 
proached by  some  five  or  six  steps.  Time  :  Dawn. 
The  dawn  is  magenta  in  India.  The  sun  rises 
throughout  the  scene  until  it  is  full  day. 

Discover  Olive  on  veranda  in  a  ha?idsome  dressing- 
gown,  watching,  looking  off  very  intently,  R.,  the 
first  rays  of  the  rising  sun  striking  her  face. 

Olive  {looking  off  very  earnestly*).  You're 
late,  sir  !  Make  haste,  or  Colonel  Carnac  will 
be  here  before  you.  {Listens  intently,  leaning 
towards  r.  Calls.)  Ayah  !  (Ayah  appears  at 
window. )     Hark  !     Do  you  hear  anything  ? 

Ayah.     No,  Memsahib.     There  is  nothing. 

Olive.  Yes  !  Drums  !  They're  coming 
back  !  Go  and  fetch  my  new  pink  morning 
dress.  No.  Stay  !  The  little  blue  silk  with 
the  lace.  Make  haste  !  No,  Ayah  !  I  shall 
look   best  in  white.     Bring   me   the  new  white 


38  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

gown  with  the  golden  girdle  and   the  little  toy 
daggers. 

{Military  music    very,   very  faintly  heard 
in   the  distance.') 

Efiter  Barton,  r.,  below. 

Olive  {calls  down).  Ah,  Dicky  !  how  has  it 
gone  ? 

Barton.  Splendidly  !  We've  smashed  them 
into  smithereens,  and  Syrett  has  got  the  Rajah 
and  all  his  suite. 

Olive.      Prisoners  ? 

Barton.  Yes.  (She  claps  her  hands.)  He's 
bringing  them  on  here. 

Olive.  Here?  (To  Ayah.)  My  dress  !  My 
dress  !  Be  quick  !  ( Walking  backwards  and 
forwards  in  great  excitement,  calling  down  to  Bar- 
ton.)    Yes,  go  on  !     Tell  me  ! 

Barton.  He  sent  me  on  to  know  if  you  and 
all  the  ladies  are  safe. 

Olive.  Yes,  all  except  Lady  Scrivener. 
Some  stragglers  came  up  in  the  middle  of  the 
night  and  shot  her  on  her  veranda. 

Barton.  Good  heavens  !  Lady  Scrivener 
wounded  !     Not  dangerously  ? 

Olive.     Yes,  I  fear. 

Ayah  (at  window  with  a  very  pretty  white 
dress).     The  Memsahib's  dress. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  39 

Olive.  I  must  change  my  dress.  {Going 
into  window,  calling  to  him.')  Tell  me  some 
more  about  the  fighting.  Who  has  done  any- 
thing ? 

Barton.  Syrett  fought  like  a  fiend.  They 
got  us  into  a  corner  once,  just  as  it  was  growing 
dusk.  But  Syrett  rallied  us  and  drove  them 
into  the  river.  We  drowned  a  few  hundred 
and  bayonetted  the  rest. 

Olive.      Is  Colonel  Syrett  wounded  ? 
Barton.     No,  as   good  luck  would  have  it. 
Olive.      Not  wounded.      (  With  a  shade  of  dis- 
appointment.     To  Ayah.)     Make   haste  !     Make 
haste,   creature !     Don't    you   hear   the   music  ? 
Don't  go,  Dicky  !     Tell  me  some  more  ! 

Barton.  I  must  go  and  ask  for  Lad}7  Scriv- 
ener. Colonel  Syrett  told  me  to  tell  you  that 
he  is  bringing  the  Rajah  and  all  his  prisoners 
along  this  road.  {Exit  Barton,  r.) 

Olive.  Along  this  road!  (To  Ayah.) 
Clumsy  !     I'll  dress  myself. 

(Runs  out,  arranging  her  dress  as  she  goes 
along.  Music  growing  nearer.  Enter 
down  below,  l.  ,  Carnac,  haggard, 
tired,  broken  down  with  fatigue. 
Music  nearer,  and  Olive  begins  danc- 
ing and  humming,  and  clapping  her 
hands  in  great  excitement.  Carnac 
calls  out  to  her  from  below. ) 


40  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac.      Mrs.  Arnison  ! 

Olive  {carelessly).  Oh,  it's  you!  {Turns 
again  towards  the  music.)  What  has  kept  you 
all  night? 

Carnac.  We  found  the  Nawab  in  greater 
force  than  we  expected.  It  took  us  till  dusk  to 
clear  him  out  of  the  villages.  Then  we  couldn't 
get  on  the  traces  of  the  English  ladies.  They 
are  all  missing  except  Miss  Ford  and  her  Ayah. 
It  was  eight  o'clock  before  I  got  away.  Then 
I  lost  my  way  in  the  dark,  my  horse  broke  his 
leg  in  a  hole,  and  I've  had  to  drag  on  here  on 
foot. 

Olive  {carelessly).      How  unfortunate  ! 

Carnac.  What  has  happened  here  ?  Has 
Syrett  attacked  the  Rajah  ? 

Olive.  Yes.  A  splendid  engagement.  And 
I  saw  the  fighting.  It  was  all  round  here  last 
evening.  Syrett  has  taken  the  Rajah  prisoner, 
and  is  bringing  him  home  with  all  his  suite  ! 
Look,  they're  just  turning  the  corner. 

{Music   growing    nearer,    she    throws    up 
her  arms.) 

Carnac  {calls  out).  Mrs.  Arnison!  Olive! 
I  want  to  speak  to  you. 

Olive.     Not  now.      By-and-by. 

Carnac.     Won't  you  speak  to  me  ? 

Olive  {smiling  down  to  him).  When  I've 
congratulated  Colonel  Syrett. 


SCENE    III 


CARNAC    SAHIB  41 


Carnac.  Why  didn't  Colonel  Syrett  send 
you  to  Barat  ? 

Olive.  Because  he  thought  it  would  be 
best  for  us  to  stay  here. 

(She  waves  her  handkerchief  off,  dancing 
and  humming  with  the  music.  Carnac 
stretches  out  his  arms  towards  her  with 
a  gesture  of  despair,  and  then  goes 
wearily  to  the  veranda  steps  and  sits 
upon  them.} 

Enter  Radnage,  r. 

Carnac.  Oh,  Billy,  where  are  you  go- 
ing. 

Radnage.     To  get  the  hospital  ready,  sir. 

Carnac.      Have  you  got  many  cases  ? 

Radnage.  Not  a  great  many,  considering. 
You've  heard  about  Lady  Scrivener  ? 

Carnac.     No.     What? 

Radnage.     Badly  wounded. 

Carnac.     Not  dangerously  ? 

Radnage.  Hum  !  She  won't  die,  but  she'll 
be  a  lame  old  dicky  bird  for  the  rest  of  her 
life. 

Carnac.  Good  heavens  !  What  will  the 
General  say  ? 

Radnage  (pointing  up  to  Olive).  That  it's 
a  blanked  silly  trick  to  have  a  parcel  of  women 


42  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

buzzing  around  you  when  there's  any  fighting 
to  do. 

Carnac.  Get  through  your  hospital  cases 
as  soon  as  you  can.  Then  ride  over  to  Fyza- 
pore.  Find  out  Ford.  Major  Kynaston  is  with 
him,  badly  wounded.  Billy,  I'm  afraid  it's  all 
over  with  him. 

Radnage.  Poor  old  psalm-singer.  Well, 
after  all,  he's  the  only  one  of  us  that's  in  any- 
thing like  prime  Christmas  condition  for  going 
aloft. 

Carnac.  Stick  to  him  to  the  very  last,  and 
pull  him  through  if  you  can. 

(Looks  up  at  Olive,  who  is  still  leaning 
over  the  balcony,  waving  handkerchief 
with  great  excitement. ) 

Radnage  {comes  up  to  Carnac).  Carnac  old 
fellow.  (Glancing  up  at  Olive.) 

Carnac  (not  turning  round,  still  looking  at 
Olive).     Well  ? 

Radnage  (pointing  at  Olive).  For  heaven's 
sake,  Carnac,  don't  let  there  be  another  such 
a  damned  fool  as  myself  on  this  terrestrial 
sphere. 

Carnac  (still  looking  up  at  Olive).  Get 
away  to  your  hospital — and  then  on  to  Kynas- 
ton !     Quick ! 

Radnage.  I'm  off.  (Goes  to  extreme  l.,  looks 
at   Carnac,  shrugs  his    shoulders.)     Adieu,   twin 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  43 

spiritual  brother.     We  shall  meet  at  the  bottom 
of  the  slope. 

{Exit  L.     Music  swells  louder  and  louder. 
Enter  a   mixed  crowd  of  natives  and 
English,  cheering.    Enter  Syrett  with 
immense  pride  and  excitement   of  vic- 
tory.    He  is  followed  by  the  Mahara- 
jah of  Motiala  and  his  suite,  prison- 
ers in  the  charge  of  Barton.      Olive 
waves  her  hand  to  Syrett,  who  bows 
to    her.       Carnac     has     mounted    the 
veranda  steps  and  is  behind  the  foliage, 
watching  jealously.     Olive  runs  quickly 
down    the    steps.      Carnac    intercepts 
her  for  a  moment,  and  then  allows  her 
to  pass.      She  runs  down   the  steps  to 
Syrett,     Carnac      remaining     above 
them.       Syrett     affects     ?iot     to     see 
Carnac.) 
Olive.      You've  returned,  and  victorious  ? 
Syrett  {pointing  to  prisoners).      As  you  see. 
Olive.     But  not  wounded? 
Syrett.     Luckily — no. 
Olive.      Luckily — no. 

(Carnac  comes  down  to  them.) 
Syrett  {salutes.     His  manner  throughout  the 
scene  is  one  of  great  politeness  to  Carnac,  cover- 
ing the  most  insolent  intention).      I   beg   pardon, 
sir.      I  did  not  notice  you.      After  you  had  gone 


44  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

yesterday,  Captain  Bell  brought  the  information 
that  the  Rajah  was  in  great  force  at  Blakepore. 
I  was  somewhat  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do, 
but  I  considered  it  advisable  to  attack  him  at 
once.     I  hope  you  approve  of  my  action. 

Carnac.      Go  on. 

Syrett.  We  were  repulsed  at  first  and 
driven  back  on  the  cantonments  with  some  loss. 
But  I  succeeded  in  rallying  my  men,  and  about 
six  last  evening  I  drove  the  Rajah  back  upon 
the  river  and  utterly  routed  him.  I  pursued 
through  the  night  and  succeeded  in  taking  him 
and  all  his  suite  prisoners.  I  have  the  honour 
to  hand  you  over  my  prisoners. 

(Courteous    bow     and    salaam     exchanged 
between  Carnac  and  tlie  Rajah.  ) 

Carnac.  Mr.  Barton,  his  Highness  and  his 
suite  are  in  your  charge.  You  will  place  him 
and  them  in  the  large  unoccupied  bungalow 
near  mine,  and  put  a  guard  over  them.  I  need 
not  tell  you  to  treat  his  Highness  with  every 
courtesy. 

Barton.     Yes,  sir. 

Carnac  (Jo  Rajah).  I  will  arrange  to  see 
your  Highness  this  afternoon. 

Rajah.     It  will  not  be  necessary,  Sahib. 

Carnac.  I  will  then  tell  you  what  arrange- 
ments I  have  been  able  to  make  for  your  High- 
ness's  safety  and  comfort. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  45 

Rajah.      It  will  not  be  necessary,  Sahib. 
Carnac.      I   think  it  will  be  necessary,  your 
Highness. 

{Motions  to   Barton    to  take  the   Rajah 

and  his  suite  off.     Exeunt  the   Rajah 

and    his    suite    in    charge    of   soldiers. 

Exit  Barton  after  the  Rajah,  people 

moving  off,  cheering. ) 

Syrett  (Jo  Carnac).      I  have  the  honour  to 

present     you,    sir,    with     the     swords     of     my 

prisoners  {with  great  mock  humility),  or,  I  should 

say,  your  prisoners. 

(Captain  Bell  comes  forward  with  swords 
and  presents  them  to  Carnac.) 
Carnac.     Take   them   to   my  office,   Captain 
Bell. 

Bell.  Yes,  sir.  {Exit  Bell,  with  swords. ,) 
Syrett.  I  regret  to  report  Captain  Baynes 
and  twenty  men  killed,  Mr.  Lewis  and  Mr. 
Darrell  and  thirty  men  wounded  and  missing. 
Lady  Scrivener  was  shot  on  her  veranda  by 
some    stragglers. 

Carnac.  Why  didn't  you  send  the  ladies 
to   Barat   as   I   directed? 

Syrett.  I  considered,  sir,  it  was  judicious 
to  keep  them  here.  I  hope  you  approve  of 
my  decision. 

Carnac.  Why  didn't  you  send  me  a  mes- 
sage? 


46  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Syrett.      I  did,  sir. 

Carnac.     At  what  time? 

Syrett.     About  six,  sir. 

Carnac.     Why  didn't  you  send  before? 

Syrett  {with  a  sneer).  I  considered  it 
judicious  to  wait,  sir,  until  I  was  sure  of  victory. 
You  didn't  receive  my  message  ? 

Carnac.     No. 

Syrett.  I'm  sorry,  sir,  we  were  deprived  of 
the  great  advantage  of  your  presence.  Doubt- 
less you  would  have  been  glad  to  lead  us.  I 
hope,  sir,  you  approve  of  my  conduct  ? 

Carnac.  I  shall  need  your  assistance  in 
preparing  the  report  for  headquarters.  Please 
go  to  my  office.      I   will  come  to  you  there. 

Syrett  {with  great  insolence).  I  hope  you 
approve   of   my   conduct,  sir? 

(Carnac  does  not  reply.) 

Olive.  Let  me  offer  you  my  congratulations, 
and  I'm  sure  you  must  be  hungry.  My  servants 
have  just  prepared  my  choti-hazri.  May  I 
offer   you    my    hospitality  ? 

Syrett.     Thank  you.      I    am   very   hungry. 

Olive.     This  way. 

Carnac  {to  Syrett).  Meet  me  at  my  office 
to  prepare  the  report  in  half  an  hour. 

Syrett.      I  fear,  sir,  I  may  be  a  little  longer. 

Carnac  {in  a  deadly  rage).  Meet  me  at  my 
office  in  half   an  hour,  sir, 


SCENE    III 


CARNAC    SAHIB  47 


Syrett  {with  great  insolence).  I  will  do  my 
best,  sir,  but  I   fear  I  may  be  a  little  longer. 

Olive  {smiling).  Will  you  please  allow  us 
to   pass,  Colonel   Carnac  ? 

{He  steps  politely  aside,  and  they  go   up. 

As  she  passes  into  bungalow  she  gives 

Syrett  the  rose  she  has  been  wearing. ) 

Carnac  {in  deadly  rage,  goes  a  step  or  two  up 

the  steps,  comes  down,  rages  up  and  down  the  stage, 

madly).     Was  ever  such  cursed,  cursed,  hellish 

luck,  and  all  to  save  that  slip  of  a  girl.      If  it 

hadn't    been    for   her    I    should    have   done    it ! 

Was   ever  such  damned   luck  in  this  world  ? 

Enter,  R.,  Ellice  and  Amina,  very  much  fatigued, 
in  charge  of  Lovatt.  Ellice  is  dragging  on 
Amina' s  arm. 

Carnac  {carelessly).  Oh,  so  you've  got 
here  ? 

Ellice.  Yes,  thanks  again  to  you.  We 
should  have  been  killed  by  those  men  if  you 
hadn't   stayed  with   us. 

Carnac  {taking  no  notice  of  her).  Mr.  Lovatt, 
Lady  Scrivener  is  wounded,  and  I  fear  won't 
be  able  to  receive  Miss  Ford. 

Lovatt.  Miss  Ford  is  very  much  fatigued, 
sir.  She  nearly  fainted  several  times  on  the 
way. 


48  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  i 

Carnac.  Well,  make  haste  and  get  her  into 
some  lady's  care.  (To  Ellice,  a  little  impa- 
tiently.) Now,  Miss  Ford,  you  must  please 
bear  up  until  Mr.  Lovatt  can  get  someone  to 
take  care  of  you. 

Ellice  (very  much  liurt  at  his  careless  manner). 
Thank  you,  Colonel  Carnac.  {He  turns  away 
towards  the  bungalow.)  Won't  you  even  let  me 
thank  you  for  all  you've  done  for  me  ? 

Carnac  (still  coldly).  Oh,  there's  no  need 
for  that.  {Looking  intently  at  bungalow.  She 
looks  at  him  with  the  utmost  reproach,  staggers  a 
step  or  two  after  Lovatt,  and  then  falls  into  Car- 
nac's  arms  in  a  faint.  He  sustains  her,  looks  at 
her. )  Mr.  Lovatt,  go  to  my  bearer,  tell  him  to 
take  all  my  traps  into  my  office  and  to  prepare 
my  bungalow  for  Miss  Ford  and  her  Ayah  for 
the  present.  Then  go  to  Mrs.  Carmichael  and 
ask  her  to  be  kind  enough  to  receive  Miss  Ford. 

Lovatt.     Yes,  sir. 

(Carnac,  very  tenderly,  takes  his  pocket 
flask,  forces  some  of  its  contents  down 
her  lips,  she  revives,  looks  at  him.) 

Ellice.  Is  it  you  ?  I'm  so  sorry  I  fainted. 
Where  am   I   to  go  ? 

Carnac.  If  you  will  accept  my  bungalow 
for  an  hour  or  two,  I  shall  be  delighted. 

Ellice.  Oh,  but  I've  been  so  much  trouble 
to  you  already  !     Forgive  me  ! 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  49 

Carnac.      Forgive  me  for    being  so  rude  to 
you  just  now. 

Ellice    {struggling   towards    Amina).      Ayah, 
help  me. 

Carnac.     No,    take    my  arm.      I'll    see   you 
over  to  my  bungalow.      That's  better. 
Ellice.      How  good  you  are  to  me. 

(A  little  laugh  from  Olive  is  heard  from 

bungalow.       Carnac     turns    jealously 

round,  hesitates  for  a  moment  or  two. ) 

Carnac.     Mr.   Lovatt,  will   you    kindly  take 

Miss    Ford    to    my  bungalow  ?     I'll    be    there 

shortly. 

(Lovatt  lakes  Ellice  off,  r.  ;  she  looks 
round  at  Carnac  as  she  goes  off. 
Carnac  creeps  jealously  up  the  steps. 
A  louder  laugh  from  Olive.  Car- 
nac's  hand  seizes  the  shrub  growing 
by  the  steps  and  crushes  its  leaves.) 

Curtain. 

{A  fortnight  passes  betiveen  Acts  I  and  II.) 


ACT   II 
Scene  —  Exterior   of  the   English   Club 

AT    DlLGHAUT 

Club  zuith  veranda  runs  all  along-  the  r.  side  of  the 
stage,  and  is  brilliantly  lighted  up.  At  the  back  a 
great  river  shaded  zuith  palms,  giving  a  view  of 
the  opposite  bank  zuith  a  large  ghaut  or  bathing- 
place,  mar-ble  palaces,  and  gardens,  giving  the  im- 
pression of  a  decayed  Indian  city  of  some  impor- 
tance. On  the  L.,  down  stage,  a  little  pavilion. 
Seats,  chairs  and  tables,  and  different  places  as 
required.  The  time  is  night,  after  dinner.  As  cur- 
tain goes  tip  groups  of  English  people  in  evening 
dress  are  walking  and  seated  about  the  grounds 
taking  co fee,  etc.,  waited  upon  by  Indian  serz>ants. 
The  Englishmen  are  in  the  zuhite  Indian  evening 
dress.  Tozuards  the  front  of  the  stage  are  Lovatt, 
Bell  and  Mrs.  Carmichael. 

Mrs.  Carmichael.  So  the  General  has 
arrived. 

Bell.  Yes.  Of  course  he's  dining  at 
home  with  Lady  Scrivener,  but  he's  going  to 
look  round  here  by-and-by. 

(50) 


ACT  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  51 

Mrs.  Car.  I  hear  he's  very  angry  about 
Lady  Scrivener's  wound. 

Bell.  Yes.  You  ladies  ought  to  have  been 
sent  to  Barat. 

Lovatt.  The  General's  going  to  make  a 
thorough  inquiry  into  that  as  soon  as  he  meets 
Carnac.  (Goes  and  looks  in  Club  window.} 

Enter   Barton  from   the    Club.      Conies 
up    to    them. 

Mrs.  Car.  Is  Colonel  Carnac  still  in  the 
dining-room. 

Barton.     Yes. 

Mrs.  Car.  Did  you  notice  that  he  dined  by 
himself  ? 

Barton.      Did  he  ? 

Mrs.  Car.  In  a  corner,  and  had  a  whole 
bottle  of  champagne. 

Bell.     And  a  liqueur  or  two  after. 

Barton.  What's  that  to  Carnac?  He'll 
carry  it,  and  be  as  fresh  as  paint  if  he's  called 
out  at  four  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Olive  enters  unnoticed  behind  them  in  beautiful 
evening  dress. 

Bell.  Carnac  hasn't  been  quite  himself 
the  last  week  or  two. 


52  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  ii 

Mrs.  Car.  I  suppose  we  may  put  that  down 
to  Mrs.  Arnison.  I  wish  her  husband  would 
come  and  take  her  away. 

Olive  {who  has  overheard*).  Oh,  my  dear 
Mrs.  Carmichael,  my  husband  is  far  too  busy 
looking  after  somebody  else's  wife  to  be  able  to 
pay  much  attention  to  me.  But,  dear  man,  he 
has  done  his  best  under  the  circumstances. 
He  has  sent  his  sister  to  mount  guard  over  me. 
{Smiling  sweetly  all  round.)  Did  you  notice 
that  woman  with  the  straw-coloured  hair  dining 
with  me  and  Colonel  Syrett  ?  That's  Mrs. 
Remington,  my  husband's  sister. 

Mrs.  Car.  (a  little  confused).  I  only  thought 
— that — that  while  your  husband  is  away  you 
might  be  a  little 

Olive.  Dull  ?  Lonely  ?  Not  at  all  !  While 
Mrs.  Remington  is  here  I  am  as  happy  and 
merry  as  if  I  were  cloistered.  Dear  Laura  ! 
She  never  allows  me  to  feel  lonely  for  a  mo- 
ment.     Here  she  is.     Watch  ! 

Mrs.  Remington  enters  from  Club  down  stage. 
Exit  Olive  very  slowly  in  rapt  and  pious  con- 
templation of  the  stars.  Enter  Colonel 
Syrett  from  Club  up  stage.  He  is  sauntering 
after  Olive,  l.,  when  Mrs.  Remington  goes 
very  quickly  after  Olive,  calling  out  as  she 
goes. 


ACT  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  53 

Mrs.   Remington.     Olive,  dearest,  isn't  this 

your  fan  ? 

(Syrett      saunters     slowly     after     them. 

Dance  music  begins  in   Club.') 

Barton    {looking    off    l.    after    Syrett    and 

Olive).      I  haven't  a  fraction  of  curiosity  in  my 

composition,    and    I    never    breathe   a  word    of 

scandal,    but    I'd    give   my   next   year's   pay  to 

know 

Bell.     What,  Dicky  ? 

Barton    (very    markedly).       Whether    there 

really   is    anything    between    Syrett    and     Mrs. 

Arnison. 

Enter  Carnac  from  Club.  He  looks  anxiously 
round  as  if  searching  for  someone.  He  is  a 
little  flushed,  his  eyes  are  bright,  but  he  is  not 
noticeably  intoxicated.  His  left  arm  hangs  at 
his  side,  and  his  left  breast  is  bandaged  under 
his  evening  dress.  They  look  at  him.  Lovatt 
is  seen  to  go  and  offer  his  arm  to  Eva  Car- 
michael,  who  is  on  the  steps. 

Bell    (to    Mrs.    Carmichael).     Our    dance, 
Mrs.  Carmichael. 

(Offering  his  arm.      They  all  go  off  into 
Club,  leaving  Barton  and  Carnac.) 
Barton.      Have  you  seen  the  General,  sir  ? 
Carnac.      Yes,  Dicky. 


54  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  II 

Barton.  I  suppose  he'll  ask  me  why  Lady 
Scrivener  and  the  ladies  were  not  sent  on  to 
Barat. 

Carnac.  If  he  does  you  will  tell  him  the 
truth,  that  Colonel  Syrett  was  short  of  men, 
and  judged  it  better  not  to  spare  you.  And 
you'll  be  careful  to  convey  that  no  blame 
attaches  to  Colonel  Syrett. 
Barton.     Yes,  sir. 

{Exit  into  Club.  Left  alone,  Colonel 
Carnac  goes  l. ,  looks  off,  shows  rage, 
anguish,  unconsciously  helps  himself  to 
liquor  left  on  the  table,  walks  up  and 
down  the  stage  with  rage,  looks  off  l. 
Syrett  saunters  on,  l.,  the  two  men 
look  at  each  other.  Syrett  sits  down. 
Silence  for  some  moments. ) 


The  following  scene  must  be  played  with  great 
intensity  and  excitement  by  both  Carnac  and  Syrett. 
In  the  earlier  part  Carnac,  who  has  been  drinking 
freely  at  dinner,  is  possessed  by  jealous  rage  and  fear 
that  Syrett  is  the  lover  of  Olive.  When  Olive 
enters,  Carnac  makes  one  last  effort  to  dominate  her 
by  the  reckless  force  of  his  passion.  He  succeeds,  and 
in  the  flush  of  victory  is  insolently  triumphant  towards 
Syrett.  Syrett,  on  the  other  hand,  is  at  first  cool 
and   insolent,  but    when  he  realizes    that  he  is    losing 


ACT  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  55 

Olive,  he  in  his  turn  becomes  mad  with  jealousy,  and, 
piqued  by  Carnac's  behaviour,  is  ready  in  his  despera- 
tion to  listen  to  the  suggestions  of  Mahomet.  //  is  a 
situation  where  the  essential  passions  of  men  should  be 
shown  rather  than  their  ordinary  behaviour.  If  this 
jealous  rage  on  the  part  of  both  men,  a  rage  overruling 
for  the  time  all  other  considerations,  is  not  shown  by 
the  actors,  the  significance  of  the  scene  will  be  lost, 
and  it  will  seem  to  the  audience  impolite  or  colourless- 
And  further,  the  succeeding  scenes  between  Svrett 
and  Mahomet  will  appear  to  be  unnatural  and  with, 
out  foundation. 

Carnac  (at  length).     Arthur  ! 

Syrett.     Well  ? 

Carnac.  If  duelling  were  allowed  I  would 
find  some  pretext  to  challenge  you,  and  I  think 
I  should  kill  you. 

Syrett.  Possibly.  Possibly  I  might  kill 
you. 

Carnac.  I  know  that  you  might  have  called 
me  back  to  lead  the  attack  a  fortnight  ago.  I 
know  that  you  kept  Barton  from  taking  the 
ladies  to    Barat   because  a  lady   asked   you. 

Syrett.      Quite  true. 

Carnac.  I've  been  asking  myself  all  the 
day  whether  I  should  tell  the  General  the  truth 
and  get  you  court-martialled  as  you  deserve. 

Syrett.     And   you've   told   him  ? 


56  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  II 

Carnac.  No.  I  held  my  tongue  and 
shielded    you    because 

Syrett.     Because  ? 

Carnac.  Because  —  well,  because  I  can 
afford    to.      So    I    shielded    you. 

Syrett.     Thank   you. 

Carnac.     Now  tell   me   one  thing. 

Syrett.     Go   on. 

Carnac.     We   promised   to  fight   fair. 

Syrett.     We  did. 

Carnac  {comes  up  to  hitn,  in  a  whisper}.  Is 
the  fight  over  ?     Have   I   lost  ? 

(Syrett  smiles  but  does  not  answer.} 

Carnac.     Do  you  hear  ?     Have   I   lost  ? 

Syrett.  My  dear  Stacey,  suppose  for  sake 
of  argument  that  you  had  lost,  to  tell  you  so 
would   be   to   play   the   traitor   to   a   lady. 

Carnac.  No.  You  know  me.  A  woman's 
reputation  is  sacred  to  me.  I  fight  fair.  If 
you  have  won,  I  leave  the  field.  {Same  whis- 
per.}    Have   I   lost? 

Syrett  {with  the  same  inscrutable  smile}. 
What  would  you  have  me  say  under  the  cir- 
cumstances ? 

Carnac.     Tell  me  the  truth.      Have  I  lost  ? 

Syrett  {still  smiling}.  My  dear  Stacey,  you 
may    guess    what    infinite    satisfaction    it    gives 

me    to    assure    you    that    you    have not  — 

lost  ! 


ACT  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  57 

Enter  Olive.  Carnac  looks  steadfastly  at  him, 
looks  at  her.  All  through  following  scenes,  he 
keenly  watches  their  manner  to  see  if  they  be- 
tray any  secret  relationship. 

Olive.     What's    the   matter?     You   are  not 
quarrelling  again  ? 

Carnac.      No.      I    was   just    raising    a    little 
question  with   Arthur. 

Syrett.      Mrs.  Arnison,    I    think  this   is   our 
dauce. 

{Offering   arm.       Olive    barely   takes    it. 

Syrett  makes  a  movement  to  go  into 

the    Club.) 

Carnac     {politely    intercepting    them).       One 

moment,    Arthur.       Mrs.    Arnison    could    settle 

this  little  question   between   us. 

Syrett.      By-and-by,  Stacey.      Mrs.  Arnison 
is  engaged  to  me  for  this  dance. 

{Trying  to  get  Olive  into  Club.) 
Carnac.       But    if    Mrs.    Arnison    prefers    to 
stay.      {Covertly  pulling  her  wrap  from  her  shoul- 
ders.)     Pardon    me,    your   wrap    is    slipping  — 
allow  me  ! 

{About  to  put  Olive's  wrap  on  her  shoul- 
der with  his  right  arm.) 
Syrett.      No,  allow  me  ! 

( They  both   try   to  put  her  wrap  on,   but 
Carnac  snatches  the  wrap.) 


58  CARNAC    SAHIB  ACT  n 

Carnac.     Mrs.  Arnison  shall  decide. 

Olive  {looks  from  one  to  the  other,  then  to 
Syrett).  You  are  to  have  the  dance.  Colonel 
Carnac  shall  put  on  my  cloak. 

(Syrett  shows  great  mortification.') 

Carnac.  Get  away,  you  lucky  rascal.  Let 
me  do  all  the  work;  you  shall  have  all  the 
smiles. 

{Drawing  on  the  wrap  with  his  one  arm.) 

Olive.     Only  one  arm,  Colonel  Carnac  ? 

Carnac.  It's  enough  for  fighting,  loving 
{very  tenderly  adjusting  wrap),  and  playing  the 
ladies'  maid. 

Olive.     But  what's  the  matter  with  that  ? 
{Pointing  to  his  left  arm.) 

Carnac.  Got  a  slash  this  afternoon,  right 
across   this   arm   and   my  left   breast. 

Olive.  Wounded  ?  Why  haven't  I  heard 
of  it? 

Carnac.      Because  I  haven't  mentioned  it. 

Olive  {very  much  interested  and  concerned). 
But  it's  deep — look!  {Pointing  to  a  little 
mark  which  has  just  appeared  on  his  shirt  front. ) 
It's  bleeding  now  ! 

Carnac.      It's  nothing. 

Syrett  {to  Olive).  I  think  we  ought  to  be 
taking  our  places. 

Olive.  One  moment!  {To  Carnac. )  You 
must  go  and  get  your  wound  dressed  at  once. 


ACT  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  59 

Carnac.  Oh,  Burgess  has  bandaged  it,  and 
I'll  get  Billy  Radnage  to  look  to  it  when  he 
comes  back  from  Fyzapore. 

Olive  {sympathetically').     I'm  so  sorry. 

Syrett.      Mrs.  Arnison,  may  I  ? 

( Offering  arm  a  little  impatiently. ) 

Olive.  Oh,  one  moment,  if  you  please, 
Colonel  Syrett.  {To  Carnac.)  How  did  you 
get  that  wound  ? 

Carnac.  I  went  to  do  a  little  reconnoi- 
tring this  afternoon.  As  I  was  riding  back  I 
fell  in  with  a  troop  of  stragglers.  They  cut 
me  off  from  my  party  and  got  me  into  a 
tight  place.  This  is  the  result.  I've  lost  a 
pint  or  two  of  blood,  but  I've  drunk  a  bottle 
or  two  of  wine.  And  now  I'm  ready  to  try 
conclusions  with  a  few  more  natives,  or  with 
my  friend   Arthur,   or  with   you. 

Olive.  Oh,  what  conclusions  could  you 
try   with    me  ? 

Syrett  {impatiently).  We  shall  miss  our  dance. 

Olive.     Will  that  matter  ? 

Syrett.     Very  much  to  me. 

Carnac.  Very  well,  then,  go  and  dance  it, 
my  dear  Arthur,  and  leave  Mrs.  Arnison  with 
me  to  settle  this  little  question. 

Olive.  Ah,  this  little  question  !  What  is 
it?  {To  Syrett.)  Would  you  very  much 
mind   if    I    stayed  out   this   dance  ? 


60  CARNAC    SAHIB  ACT  n 

Syrett   {deeply  mortified").      If  you   please. 

Olive.  Look  at  that  charming  little  seat, 
just  made  for  three  !  Shall  we  go  and  sit  there  ? 
And   all   be   good   friends  ? 

Carnac.  By  all  means.  Let  us  be  the  best 
of  friends,  eh,  Arthur  ?  You're  looking  glum  ! 
What's    the    matter  ? 

Syrett.      Nothing. 

Olive.      How    unlucky    to    get    wounded  ? 

Carnac.  Arthur  is  the  lucky  man  of  us  two, 
aren't  you,    Arthur  ? 

Syrett  (with  meaning).     Yes,  I  am,   Stacey. 

Carnac  {looks  at  him,  looks  at  Olive).  So 
you  say,    Arthur.     So  you   say. 

Syrett.     You    don't    believe  me  ? 

Carnac.      If  Mrs.    Arnison  says  so. 

Olive.  How  is  it  you  always  begin  to 
quarrel  in  my  presence  ?  What  is  this  little 
question   I   am   to   settle  ? 

Carnac.  Why  that  is  the  very  question  — 
who  is  the  lucky  man  of  us  two,  Arthur 
or  I  ? 

Olive.  Oh,  how  can  I  say  !  Colonel  Syrett 
was  very  lucky  to  take  the  Rajah  a  fortnight 
ago. 

Carnac.     Yes,  just  as  my  back  was  turned, 
eh,    Arthur  ?      I    hadn't    left    the    lines.       You 
ought    to    have    called    me    back,   Arthur. 
j,    Syrett.       I   did   as    I    thought   best. 


act  II  .CARNAC    SAHIB  61 

Carnac.  I  shouldn't  have  done  it  if  I'd  been 
you,  Arthur.  It  was  a  little  bit  sharp  practice, 
a   tiny  little   bit  off  the  square,  eh,  Arthur  ? 

Syrett.  Do  you  accuse  me  of  acting 
dishonourably  ? 

Carnac.  Not  at  all,  ray  dear  fellow.  Only 
as  a  man  of  honour  I  shouldn't  have  done  it 
myself.      Especially  after  our  agreement. 

Olive.     Agreement?     What  agreement  ? 

Carnac.  Arthur  and  I  have  a  little  friendly 
agreement. 

Olive.     About  what  ? 

Carnac.     About   a  woman. 

Olive.  A  friendly  agreement  about  a 
woman  !  How  strange  !  Now  if  it  had  been  a 
disagreement 

Carnac.  Ah,  that  is  what  ordinary  men  do 
for  ordinary  women.  They  quarrel.  But  for  the 
most  extraordinary  woman  that  walks  this  earth 
Arthur  and  I  did  not  quarrel,  did  we,  Arthur? 
We  agreed   that  the  best  man  should  win. 

Olive.     And  did  the   best   man   win  ? 

Carnac  {looks  full  in  her  face').  Did  he  ? 
Did  he?  Is  she  won?  Tell  me  the  truth. 
Is   she   won  ? 

Olive  {startled,  looks  from  one  to  the  other, 
then  looks  full  at  Syrett,  and  says  to  Carnac). 
No.  You  can  believe  that  or  not,  as  you 
choose,    but    it's    true. 


62  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  ii 

Carnac  {to  Syrett  ).  Arthur,  my  dear  boy 
{points  with  his  thumb  over  his  shoulder  to  the 
Club),  you've  lost  that  dance  ! 

Syrett  {going  l.  ,  calls  off).  What  are  you 
doing  there  ? 

Enter  l.,  Mahomet  Ali,  salaams. 

Mahomet.  You  told  me  to  wait  for  you, 
Sahib,  with  the  boat. 

Syrett.     You  needn't  wait.     I'll  drive  back. 

(Mahomet  salaams   and    exit.       Syrett 

comes  up  again  to  Olive  and  Carnac. 

Is  about  to  sit  down  again  on  the  seat.) 

Carnac.  Going  to  join  our  little  party 
again,   Arthur  ? 

Syrett.  No.  {Maddened,  to  Carnac.)  I 
want  to  speak  to  you  alone.  Do  you  hear, 
alone  !  (Carnac  jumps  up,  and  Mrs.  Arnison 
steps  in   between   them. ) 

Olive.  Oh  please  !  Please  !  Will  you  con- 
trol yourselves  ?  People  are  coming  !  Colonel 
Carnac,  if  you  please. 

Carnac  {offering  his  arm).  Will  you  give 
me  this  next  dance  ? 

Syrett.  Mrs.  Arnison,  I  think  you  owe  me 
a  dance. 

Carnac.     Will  you  give  me  this  next  dance  ? 

Olive.     Can  you  dance  with  that  arm  ? 


ACT  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  63 

Carnac.     Will  you  try  me  for  a  partner  ? 
(She    gives    him    her   arm,    and    they   go 
towards    Club. ) 
Carnac.     And  you  know   my  little   friendly 
agreement  with   Arthur.     The    best    man   is  to 
win.      If  it   came  to  wagering   a   trifle  —  a   pair 
of    gloves,  or  say  that   rose   you  wear  —  would 
you  bet  on   Arthur   or   me  ? 

Syrett   {with  desperate  energy*).     Mrs.  Arni- 
son,  give  me  that  rose. 

Carnac    (to   Olive).      Would    you    bet    on 
Arthur  or  me  ? 

Olive  {takes  rose,  looks  from  one  to  the  other'). 
I   would  bet  on  you  ! 

(Giving  the  rose  to   Carnac.) 
Carnac.     Arthur,  my  dear  boy,  you've   lost 
that   rose. 

(Exit  into  Club  with  Olive  on  his  arm. 

Syrett  left  alone,  goes  up  to  the  Club 

windows,    looks     in    at     the     dancing. 

Mahomet  etiters  stealthily  from  behind 

pavilion,  L.      Syrett  comes  back  from 

the  Club;  with  a  furious  gesture,  stands 

centre,  maddened    with    jealous    rage  ; 

looks     up,     sees      Mahomet     standing 

against  pavilion.     Mahomet  salaams. ) 

Syrett.      Have  you  been  there  all  the  while  ? 

Mahomet.     Yes,  Sahib. 

Syrett.     I  sha'n't  want  you  again  to-night. 


64  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  ii 

Mahomet  {salaams  and  comes  up  to  him.  Very 
slowly  and  with  great  suggestion).  If  the  Sahib 
should  have  any  private  commands 

Syrett.     About  what? 

Mahomet.     About   Carnac   Sahib 

Syrett.     What   do  you   mean  ? 

Mahomet.  My  father  served  the  noble 
Englefield  Sahib.  There  was  a  very  beautiful 
Memsahib  — Englefield    Sahib  loved    her   very 

much. 

Syrett.     Well  ? 

Mahomet.  The  Memsahib's  husband  was 
a  beast,  a  pig.  The  Englefield  Sahib  hated 
him,  as   you,  Sahib,  hate    Carnac    Sahib. 

Syrett.     Well  ? 

Mahomet.     The  husband  died. 

Syrett.     Well? 

Mahomet.     The  husband  died. 

Syrett  {looks  at  him).  You  blackguard  ! 
How  dare  you   breathe   such   a   thing   to   me ! 

Mahomet  (unruffled,  salaams).  I  am  sorry  I 
spoke,  Sahib.  The  husband  died.  It  was 
strange  how   he   died. 

Syrett.     Get    back    to    the     bungalow    and 

wait    for   me. 

(Mahomet  salaams  and  goes  l.  to  pavilion, 
but  does  not  go  off,  watches  Syrett, 
who  goes  to  Club  windows  and  looks  in. 
Syrett  again  shows  rage  of  jealousy.) 


act  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  65 

Enter  Olive,  runs  down   Club  steps  towards  l. 
Carnac  is  following  her. 

Syrett  {beside  himself  with  jealousy).  Mrs. 
Arnison,  may   I    beg   this   dance  ? 

Olive.  Oh,  I  fear  I  can't.  I've  saddled 
poor  dear  Lord  Darlow  with  my  husband's 
sister  in  the  pavilion  yonder,  and  I  must  go 
and  relieve  her.  {Going  off  l.  ) 

Syrett  {to  Olive).  Give  me  one  dance  to- 
night ? 

Olive.      I   can't   promise. 

Syrett  {beside  himself  with  jealous  rage).  Give 
me   one   dance   to-night ! 

{Putting  himself  in  front  of  her,  stopping 
her   exit. ) 

Olive.  I  can't.  I  think  you  are  rather 
rude  to  me. 

Syrett  {mad  with  jealousy,  stopping  her).  You 
have  to  drive  home.  Let  me  at  least  escort 
you  and    Mrs.  Remington   to   your    bungalow. 

Olive.      I  have  promised  Colonel  Carnac. 

{Exit  l.) 

Carnac  {looks  at  him).  Ah!  That's  how  I 
felt,  Arthur,  a  fortnight  ago  when  you  took  my 
command  away  from  me.      {Exit  after  Olive.) 

Mahomet  {has  stood  very  calmly  all  the  while. 
He  now  comes  up  to  Syrett).  Has  the  Sahib 
any  commands  ?  (Syrett  looks  at  him.) 


66  CARNAC    SAHIB  ACT  H 

Enter  Amina,  up  stage,  R. ,  unobserved. 

Mahomet.  Has  the  Sahib  any  commands? 
(Syrett  does  not  speak.}  The  pig  of  the  hus- 
band died  this  way:  the  Memsahib  had  some 
jewels,  and  some  thieves  came  to  steal  them. 
There  was  fighting  in  the  dark,  and  in  the  fight- 
ing the  husband  was  killed.  (Syrett  looks  at 
him.}  But  there  are  many  ways  that  people 
die.  A  Sahib  at  Delhi  died  of  a  snake-bite, 
another  Sahib  died  of  sunstroke — so  many  ways 
there  are  that  Sahibs  die,  and  there  is  no  talk. 
If  an  English  Sahib  goes  to  that  Memsahib's 
bungalow  to-night — to  steal  her  jewels — or  to- 
morrow night — or  any  night — I  know  a  faithful 
servant  at  Memsahib's,  and  we  will  provide  that 
the  thief  shall  not  come  away  with  his  life. 

Syrett  (looks  at  him  a  moment}.  I  sha'n't 
want  your  services  to-night,  or  any  night,  at  any 
time  that  you  think  Mrs.  Arnison's  jewels  are  in 
danger. 

Mahomet.  The  Sahib's  commands  shall  be 
obeyed.  And  the  Sahib  need  have  no  fear.  It 
will    be    an    accident.      And    there    will    be    no 

talk. 

( The    tivo    men     exchange    looks.       Exit 
Syrett    into    Club.      Mahomet   goes, 
looks  l.,  Amina  comes  up  to  him.} 
Amina.      Is  it  Carnac   Sahib   that  will  come 


act  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  67 

like  a  thief  in  the  night  to  steal  the  Memsahib's 
jewels  ? 

Mahomet.  Carnac  Sahib  a  thief !  What 
strange  thing  is  this,  my  sister? 

(Mahomet  is  going  off  l.,  Amina  is  fol- 
lowing ;    he  turns  round.') 

Mahomet.  Go  now  to  your  Memsahib,  and 
follow  me  not  ! 

Amina.  You  will  do  no  harm  to  Carnac 
Sahib  ? 

Mahomet.  Why,  then,  should  I  do  him 
harm  ?  Put  these  evil  thoughts  from  thy  heart, 
my  sister.  {Exit  l.  ) 

Enter  Ellice  from   the    Club   with   Eva   Carmi- 
chael,  as  if  looking  for  so?neone. 

Ellice.  Wait  a  minute,  Eva,  I'm  not  sure 
whether  I'm  engaged  for  this  dance. 

Amina.  Are  you  looking  for  someone, 
Missie  Sahib  ? 

Ellice.  Colonel  Carnac  asked  me  yester- 
day for  a  dance  ?     Have  you  seen  him  ? 

Amina.  He  is  there  in  the  pavilion  with  the 
Arnison  Memsahib  and  her  sister. 

{Pointing  off  L. ) 

Ellice  {looking  off  l.).  I  daresay  Colonel 
Carnac  has  forgotten  me.  No,  he's  coming  ! 
Who  is  that  man  following  him  ? 


68  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  ii 

Amina.  It  is  my  brother  Mahomet.  He  is 
bearer  to  Syrett  Sahib.  {Exit.) 

(Ellice  turns  away  very  shyly  as  Carnac 
enters  rather  excited.  He  is  going  into 
Club,  but  happens  to  catch  sight  of  her. ) 

Carnac.  Ah,  my  dear  Miss  Ford,  how  is  it 
I've  not  seen  you  before?  You're  quite  com- 
fortable, I  hope,  with  Mrs.  Carmichael  ? 

Ellice.  Oh  yes,  thank  you.  It's  kind  of 
her  to  have  me — a  stranger. 

Carnac.  A  stranger !  Oh  no.  In  times 
like  this  we  English  are  all  one  family. 

Ellice.  When  shall  I  be  able  to  go  back  to 
Fyzapore  to  my  father  and  sister  ? 

Carnac.  It  wouldn't  be  safe  yet,  but  I'll 
take  any  message  you  have.  I'm  riding  over 
to-morrow  to  see  Major  Kynaston. 

Ellice.  If  it  isn't  safe  for  me  it  isn't  safe 
for  you. 

Carnac.     Oh,  I  take  my  chance. 

Ellice.      Can't  I  take  mine  ? 

Carnac.  Risk  a  valuable  young  life  like 
yours  ? 

Ellice.  Your  life  is  far  more  valuable  than 
mine,  and  yet  you  risk  it. 

Carnac.      It's  my  business. 

Ellice.       To  risk  your  life  and  save  mine. 

Carnac.  Now  tell  me  what  message  shall  I 
take  to  Fyzapore? 


act  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  69 

Ellice.  Only  my  dearest  love  to  them  both, 
and  a  kiss  to  May;  you  may  kiss  her,  she's 
only  eleven. 

Carnac.  I  may  kiss  her ;  she's  only 
eleven. 

Ellice.  And  give  her  this  flower  —  oh, 
you're  wearing  a  flower. 

Carnac.  I'll  take  this  too,  and  kiss  the 
little  maiden  of  eleven.  How  is  it  you're  not 
dancing  ? 

Ellice.  I  thought  that — I  mean  yesterday, 
you 


Carnac.     What  ? 

Ellice.       When    you    were    at    Mrs.     Car- 
michael's 


Carnac  (remembering).  Of  course,  I  asked 
you  for  a  dance.  And  I  forgot !  Forgive 
me.  The  General  has  just  sent  for  me,  but 
I  think  there's  time.  Are  you  engaged  for  the 
next  ? 

Ellice.     No. 

Carnac.  Then  will  you  give  me  the  pleas- 
ure  

(She  shows  intense  delight,  takes  his  arm, 
and  goes  toivards  Club  steps.) 

Carnac.     Did  I  forget  ?     Did  I  forget  ? 

Ellice  (delighted).  But  you've  remembered 
now.  (They  are  going  towards  Club.) 


70  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  n 

Enter  from  Club,  General  Sir  Hardinge  Scriv- 
ener, a  wiry,  well-seasoned  soldier,  about  sixty, 
with  a  lot  of  medals. 

Scrivener.     Carnac,  I  want  to  speak  to  you. 
Carnac.     Yes,    sir.      I   was   about  to  dance 
with   Miss   Ford,  but,  of  course,  if  it  is  impor- 
tant, sir 

Scrivener.  It  is  important,  and  as  Lady 
Scrivener  is  not  quite  so  well  to-night,  perhaps 
I   may  ask  Miss  Ford  to  excuse  you. 

Ellice  (notch  disappointed ).  Oh  yes,  of 
course.  (Drops  Carnac's  arm.  ) 

Carnac.  I'm  so  sorry,  Miss  Ford.  I  must 
beg  a  dance  another  time. 

Ellice.     Yes 

(Carnac   bows  to  her ;    she  goes  towards 
Club ;   meets  Eva  Carmichael,  who  is 
coming  out.      Carnac  goes  to  speak  to 
Scrivener.) 
Eva.      What's  the  matter,  darling  ? 

(Ellice     bursts     into     tears     on     Eva's 
shoulder. ) 
Eva.    Never  mind,  dear  !    Don't  cry  !     It  will 
all  come  right  by-and-by.  (Soothing  her. ) 

(Exeunt    Ellice    and    Eva    into     Club. 
The  General  and  Carnac  have  bee?i 
talking. ) 
Scrivener.      I    am  not  at  all    satisfied    that 


act  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  71 

Syrett  is  not  very  much  to  blame  for  not  send- 
ing the  ladies  to  Barat.  Candidly,  what  do 
you  think  about  it  ? 

Carnac.  He  says  he  acted  for  the  best,  sir. 
I  don't  think  you  ought  to  go  behind  that. 

Scrivener  (dissatisfied).  H'm  !  H'm  !  I've 
just  had  a  telegram  from  Calcutta.  They  leave 
the  Rajah  in  my  hands.  I  can  either  send  him 
there  to  be  tried,  or,  if  I  think  it  advisable,  I 
can  try  him  here  by  court-martial. 

Carnac.  Hadn't  we  better  keep  him  here 
for  a  little  while,  sir  ?  I  believe  he  is  sending 
messages  to  the  Rajah  of  Sirhoot. 

Scrivener.  That  may  mean  a  bigger  job 
on  our  hands  than  we've  had  yet. 

Carnac.  Yes,  unless  we  can  pump,  or 
squeeze,  or  frighten  the  whole  truth  out  of  him. 

Scrivener.  Then  you  advise  us  to  keep 
him  for  a  few  days  ? 

Carnac.  Yes.  I'll  have  him  carefully 
watched  meantime.  Will  you  leave  the  mat- 
ter in   my  hands,   sir  ? 

Scrivener.  Very  well,  Carnac.  (Takes  out 
watch.)  I  must  get  back  to  Lady  Scrivener. 
Good-night. 

Carnac.     Good-night,  sir. 

(Exit  into  Club.  Carnac  goes  a  few  steps 
as  if  going  into  Club,  then  turns  towards 
L.    Radnage's  voice  heard  in  the  Club. ) 


72  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  ii 

Radnage  {off ).  Where?  Where?  I  must 
see  him  at  once.  {Enters  from  Club,  in  riding 
clothes,  travel  stained. )     Ah,  Carnac  ! 

Carnac.  Billy,  what  is  it?  How's  Kynas- 
ton? 

Radnage.      Poor  old  psalm-singer  ! 

Carnac.     Not  dead  ? 

Radnage.  No,  but  he's  tuning  up  for 
Paradise.  He's  been  delirious  all  the  after- 
noon, seeing  cherubims,  and  demi-semi-qua- 
vering  hallelujahs.  This  stony  old  heart 
hasn't  been  so  much  touched  since  my  poor 
aunt  played  the  church  organ  on  Sundays, 
and  I  chirped  out  the  Litany  from  a  dirty 
surplice,  and  made  eyes  at  the  young  ladies' 
school  opposite.  {To  Waiter.)  Khitmurgar  ! 
Brandy   and    soda.      Quick  ! 

Carnac.  Why  did  you  let  me  leave  him 
yesterday? 

Radnage.  Because  I  knew  you  were 
wanted  here.  If  you  want  to  see  him  alive 
you'd    better  ride  over. 

Carnac.  Of  course  I'll  go  to  him  at  once. 
{Goes  and  looks  off  L.) 

Radnage.  You'll  find  him  in  a  very  queer 
state.  (Waiter  brings  brandy  and  soda.) 

Carnac.     How  so  ? 

Radnage.  He's  very  anxious  to  make  a 
family  party  of  all   his  old   chums,  so  that  we 


act  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  73 

can  hold  a  perpetual  sacred  sing-song  in  the 
sweet  by-and-by,  beyond  the  river.  And  the 
said  river  running  nothing  but  a  teetotal 
liquid,  just  to  please  and  poultice  him,  I  took 
my  davy  I'd  be  a  strict  teetotaler  from  this 
time  forth.  {Drinks  brandy.)  So  he's  very 
happy  about  me.  I've  found  salvation.  An- 
other brandy  and  soda,  waiter.  But  your  con- 
dition is  perilous,  and  there's  only  one  way  to 
save  you. 

Carnac.     What's  that  ? 

Radnage.  You  were  engaged  to  his  dead 
sister,  weren't   you  ? 

Carnac.     Yes,  fifteen  years  ago. 

Radnage.  He  has  been  seeing  her  —  Enid, 
isn't  her  name?  —  all  the  afternoon. 

Carnac.     Where? 

Radnage.  In  the  course  of  constant  ten- 
minute  trips  between  his  old  home  at  Broad- 
stairs,  the  New  Jerusalem,  and  this  inferno  of 
India.  His  one  fixed  idea  is  to  see  you  be- 
fore he  dies,  marry  you  to  his  sister,  and  get 
you  safely  boxed  up  with  himself,  and  her, 
and  me,  in  his  family  Paradise.  And  he  won't 
die  peaceably  till  he  has  done  it. 

Carnac  {glancing  off  l. ).  Of  course  I'll  go 
to  him  at  once.  {Looking  off  at  Olive.) 

Radnage  {comes  to  him).  Carnac,  old  fel- 
low  


74  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  n 

Carnac.     Well? 

Radnage.  In  spite  of  having  old  psalm- 
singer  to  propose  me  for  the  celestial  club, 
I'm  safe  to  get  blackballed  when  the  day  of 
election  comes. 

Carnac.      Me  too,  Billy,  me  too  ! 

{Looking  off  l.  ) 

Radnage.  No!  No!  I'm  past  praying 
for,  but  you  aren't  !  Take  a  fool's  advice ! 
Ride  over  to  Kynaston  and  let  him  box  you 
up  in  his  family  Paradise  and  save  you  from 
a  woman  who  will  else  be  your  damnation  as 
surely  —  as  surely  {drinking)  as  brandy  will  be 
mine  !  {A  very  lively  dance  is  struck  up  in  the 
Club. ) 

Hobbs  {enters  very  excitedly  down  Stage,  R. ). 
Carnac  ! 

Carnac.      Padri  ! 

Radnage.     You  haven't  left  Kynaston? 

Hobbs.  No.  As  soon  as  you  had  gone, 
he  demanded  to  be  brought  here  to  see  Colo- 
nel Carnac.  I  tried  to  quiet  him,  but  he 
raved,  and  begged  and  prayed,  so  at  last,  just 
to  soothe  him,  I  got  him  on  a  litter  and 
started.  I  thought  we  should  meet  Colonel 
Carnac  on  the  way.  You  said  you  would 
send    him. 

Radnage.  I've  only  just  got  here.  I  — 
{ashamed)  I  was  detained  on  the  way. 


act  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  75 

Hobbs  {contemptuously').  I  might  have  known 
you  would  be  detained  on  the  way. 

Carnac.      Where  is  Kynaston  now? 

Hobbs.  I've  got  him  just  outside.  He 
wanted  to  be  brought  in  here,  but  I  didn't 
like 

Kynaston  {voice  off  r.).  Make  haste  !  Make 
haste  !     Take  me  to  him  !     Quick  ! 

{He  is   brought  on  down  stage,   r.,    on  a 
litter. ) 

Carnac.  Hedley,  my  dear  old  fellow,  what 
is  this?     {Calls  out  to  Club.)     Stop  that  music  ! 

Kynaston.  I  couldn't  die  till  I'd  seen  you  ! 
Stacey,  I  must  save  you  from  that  woman 
before  I  die!  I've  been  talking  to  Enid  — 
{looking  round.)  Where  is  she  ?  Enid  !  Enid  ! 
Don't  leave  me  !     She  was  here  just  now  ! 

Carnac.  All  right,  old  fellow,  I'll  send  for 
her!      {Calls  out.)      Stop  that   music,  I  say! 

Kynaston.  Stacey,  promise  me  one  thing 
before  I  die  ! 

Carnac.     What   is  it? 

Kynaston.  Give  up  that  woman,  or  be  lost 
for  ever  ! 

Carnac.  Yes,  yes,  old  fellow  !  Don't 
trouble    about    me  ! 

Kynaston.  Give  up  that  woman,  or  be  lost 
for  ever  !  (Carnac  is  silent.)  Give  up  that 
woman,  or  be  lost  for  ever  ! 


76  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  II 

Hobbs.  He's  dying  !  Won't  you  promise 
him  ? 

Carnac.     I  won't  tell  a  lie  to  a  dying  man  ! 

Ellice  enters  quickly  from  Club,  followed  by  other 
guests;  the  music  suddenly  stops ;  guests  rush 
on  and  crowd  round. 

Kynaston.     Give  her  up,   I  say  !     Give  her 

up,  or {Sees  Ellice.)     Ah,  Enid  !     Enid! 

{Stretching  out  his  hands  to  her.)       I'm  so  glad 
you've  come  ! 

Ellice  (Jo  Carnac).     What  does  he  mean  ? 

Carnac.  He's  delirious  !  He  thinks  you 
are  his  sister  ! 

Kynaston.     Enid,  come  to  me,  dear  ! 

Carnac.      Don't  cross  him  !     He's  dying  ! 

{She  goes  to  him.) 

Kynaston.  I  want  Stacey  to  promise  to 
marry  you,  dear  !  And  I  know  you  love  him  ! 
Stacey,  it's  my  last  wish  !  Let  me  know  before 
I  die  that  you're  safe  !  Don't  refuse  me  !  {To 
Ellice.)     Give  him  your  hand,  dear  ! 

(Hobbs    makes    an   appealing  gesture    to 
Carnac.) 

Carnac  {to  Hobbs).  To  soothe  him.  I 
mean  no  more  {to  Ellice).  It's  only  a  dying 
man's  fancy.       Do  you  mind  ? 

{She  gives  Carnac  her  hand.) 


act  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  77 

Kynaston  {looks  at  them  a  moment).  There  ! 
There!  (Sinks.')  Thanks!  Thanks!  You're 
safe  now,  Stacey  !  I'm  very  happy  !  I'm  very 
happy !     (Dies.) 

(Carnac  bends  over  him,  covers  him  with 
his  cloak.  Ellice  covers  her  face  with 
her  hands. ) 

Curtain. 


ACT    III 

Scene   1 

Front  Scene  to  Set  in  Front  of  Scene  II.  Room 
in  Colonel  Carnac's  Bungalow,  showing  the 
interior  of  the  bungalow,  whose  exterior  is  shown 
in  Act  I,  Scene  I. 

A  large  zvindozu  at  back  shocking  the  vera>ida  out- 
side, zvith  sun-blinds  drazun  dozen  to  shut  out 
back  viezv.     A  door,  r.     A  door,  l.      lime,  jnorning. 

Discover  Carnac  seated,  smoking,  at  a  table  zvith  a 
heap  of  military  papers  in  front  of  him.  There 
are  other  indications  that  the  room  is  used  tempo- 
rarily as  an  office. 

Carnac's  bearer,  Ali  Kahn,  enters,  l.,  showing  in 
Olive.  Carnac  rises  with  great  surprise  and  de- 
light, throws  away  his  cigar.  Olive  signs  silence. 
Exit  Ali  Kahn,  l. 

Carnac.     You  ! 

Olive.     Yes. 

Carnac  {under  his  breath).      I'm  delighted. 

(78) 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  79 

Olive  {looks  keenly  at  him).  Are  you  ?  What 
has  been  the  matter  with  you  the  last  ten 
days? 

Carnac.  The  death  of  my  old  friend  Kynas- 
ton.      It  made  me  feel  rather  sad 

Olive.     And  very  virtuous  ? 

Carnac.  I  had  a  few  virtuous  qualms  for 
three  or  four  days. 

Olivc     For  three  or  four  days  ? 

Carnac.  No  healthy  man  allows  his  con- 
science to  torture  him  for  longer  than  that. 
Poor   Hedley !     And   it   was   hard   on   the   girl. 

Olive.  My  friend,  those  virtuous  qualms 
are  still  lingering  about  your  conscience. 

Carnac.  What,  in  your  presence  !  Whew  ! 
{Makes  an  action  of  blowing  them  away.)  They're 
gone. 

Olive.      I'm  glad,  because 

Carnac.     Yes 

Olive.     I  have  some  news  for  you. 

Carnac.  Tell  me  quickly.  I  expect  the 
General. 

Olive.     The  General ! 

Carnac.  He  hasn't  been  able  to  move  the 
office  back  to  his  bungalow  on  account  of  Lady 
Scrivener's  illness.  So  we  transact  all  the  busi- 
ness here.     Tell  me  the  news  quickly. 

Olive  {significantly).  Mrs.  Remington  is 
ill. 


80  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  III 

Carnac.      Seriously  ? 

Olive.  Seriously,  poor  angel.  I'm  afraid 
she  must  keep  her  room  for  a  day  or  two. 

Carnac.     Then ? 

(Olive    nods.     He    kisses    her    hand.     A 
little  pause.      They  look  at  each  other. 
Mahomet's  head  rises  at  back  in  the 
veranda   over   a   shrub ;    he    listens   a 
moment  or  two  and  withdraws. ) 
Olive.     You  remember  what  we  arranged  ? 
Carnac.     Yes. 
Olive.     Say  it  over  to  me. 
Carnac.     A  tiger-lily,   and   I   come   to  you. 
A  rose,  and  you  come  to  me  here. 
Olive.     And  the  time? 

Carnac.  The  number  of  notches  in  the 
paper  that  binds  the  flower  signifies  the 
hour. 

Olive.     Faithful  scholar  !     Word  perfect  ! 

Carnac.     And  when ? 

Olive.  I  can't  say  exactly,  because  I  shall 
have  to  contrive.  But  I  shall  send  you  a  tiger- 
lily  or  a  rose  before  this  evening.  (He  kisses 
her  hand.)  If  I  come  here  how  shall  I  get 
in? 

Carnac  (pointing-  to  door,  r.).     Come  to  that 
door.      Knock  gently.      I  will  let  you  in. 
Olive.      Hush  !     Someone  coming  ! 

(  Going  to  door,  L. ,  listening. ) 


scene  i  CARNAC    SAHIB  81 

Carnac  {quickly  opens  door,  r.).  This  way. 
Till  this  evening  ! 

{Snatches  a  kiss  from  her  hand  as  she  goes 
off.  As  Carnac  gets  her  off,  Mahomet 
again  looks  in  at  window,  and  then 
withdraws.  Carnac  closes  door,  r. 
Enter  Scrivener,  door  l.  ,  shown  in  by 
Ali  Khan.     Exit  Ali  Khan.) 

Scrivener.     Good-morning,  Carnac. 

Carnac.      Good- morning,  sir. 

Scrivener  {calls  off  at  the  door,  l.).     Orderly  ! 

Enter  Ali   Busha,  the  General's  orderly,  l. 

Orderly.     Sahib?  {Salaams.) 

General.  Go  over  to  Mr.  Barton  and  ask 
him  to  bring  his  Highness  the  Rajah  to  me 
here. 

Orderly.     Yes,  Sahib. 

{Salaams  in  going.) 

Scrivener.  Was  that  Major  Radnage 
whom  I  saw  coming  along  the  road  ? 

Orderly.     Yes,  Sahib. 

Scrivener.      Ask  him  to  step  in  here. 

Orderly.     Yes,  Sahib. 

{Salaams  and  exit,  l.) 

Scrivener  {tossing  a  note  to  Carnac,  who  takes 
it  and  reads  it).  I've  just  had  that  note  from 
Hartford.      He's  holding  the  enquiry  on   Rad- 


82  CARNAC   SAHIB  ACT  in 

nage  this  morning.  It  was  a  mere  chance  that 
the  hospital  and  every  man  in  it  weren't  burned 
alive  through  Radnage's  drunken  carelessness. 

Carnac  {has  read  note  and  gives  it  back  to 
General).  Poor  Billy  !  I  suppose  it  wouldn't 
be  possible  to  stretch  a  point  again  in  his 
favour  ? 

Scrivener.  No,  I've  made  up  my  mind. 
He  goes  this  time  !  Ah  !  {As  Radnage  enters, 
l.  ,  shown  in  by  Ali  Khan,  tvJio  goes  off.  Rad- 
nage is  very  deeply  ashamed,  tries  to  hide  it.) 
Now,  Major  Radnage  ! 

Radnage.     Sir ! 

Scrivener.  I  sent  for  you  to  give  you  a 
friendly  hint.  You'll  be  well  advised  to  send  in 
your  papers  at  once. 

Radnage.  I  had  been  hard  at  work  all  the 
day,  sir,  without  anything  to  eat,  and  I  hadn't 
closed  my  eyes  for  two  nights  before.  Wouldn't 
it  be  possible,  sir,  for  you  and  Major  Hartford 
just  to  close  your  eyes  to  my  folly  for  this 
once  ?  Couldn't  you  take  a  little  nap,  General, 
and  let  my  damned  drunken  tomfoolery  pass  by 
the  while,  and  then  wake  up  and  forget  all 
about  it,  or  say  to  me,  "Radnage,  you  tipsy 
rascal,  you  might  have  sacrificed  a  dozen  brave 
men's  lives,  but  the  special  Providence  that 
watches  over  children  and  drunkards,  and  you, 
was  on  the  look-out  and  kept  them  safe.      And 


scene  i  CARNAC    SAHIB  83 

so  for  the  sake  of  old  times  at  Kandahar,  I'll  do 
my  best  to  get  it  passed  over  this  once." 
{Pause.  The  General  is  silent.')  Did  I  hear 
you  say  that,  General  ?  Thank  you  !  Thank 
you  ! 

Scrivener.  No.  I  didn't  say  it.  I've  just 
had  a  note  from  Major  Hartford. 

Radnage.  I  knew  Hartford  would  go 
against  me. 

Scrivener.      Don't  you  deserve  it  ? 

Radnage.  I  deserve  to  be  hanged,  whipped, 
and  kicked  out  of  the  service.  But  is  there  one 
of  us,  sir,  the  best  man  living — you  yourself, 
General — would  you  dare  to  lift  up  your  head 
again  if  your  Superior  Officer  {with  an  inclina- 
tion of  the  hand  towards  heaven)  were  to  show 
you  all  your  mistakes  and  follies  chalked  up 
against  you,  and  say,  "That's  your  score,  Gen- 
eral Scrivener.      Pay  up." 

Scrivener  {without  taking  his  eyes  from  his 
papers,  in  a  dry,  unmoved  tone).  You'd  better 
send  in  your  papers  at  once. 

(Radnage    looks    very    downcast,    and    is 
going  off.     Carnac  goes  tip  to  him.) 

Carnac  If  I  can  do  anything  for  you,  Billy 
— take  a  passage  for  you  to  England,  or 

Radnage.      No,  thank  you,  Carnac. 

Carnac.      What  do  you  mean  to  do  ? 

Radnage.      Oh,    just  hang   about   here,   and 


84  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  III 

cadge  on  all  you  good  fellows,  and  drink  myself 
to  death.  The  worst  of  it  is  I've  got  such  a 
good  constitution,  and  I'm  so  thoroughly  sea- 
soned, I'm  afraid  it  will  be  a  very  long  and 
tough  job  for  me ;  but  {buttoning  up  his  coat  with 
resolution)  I  daresay  I  shall  be  equal  to  it. 
(  To  Scrivener.)     Good  day,  sir. 

Scrivener.      Good  day,  Major  Radnage. 

Carnac.  Come  to  me  by-and-by  and  I'll  see 
what  I  can  do  for  you. 

Radnage.  Don't  you  be  such  an  idiot  as  to 
waste  another  thought  or  another  sixpence  on 
me,  Colonel.      Good-by. 

{Exit,  l.      Carnac  looks  after  him.) 

Carnac.  Poor  Billy !  Here  comes  our 
prisoner  ! 

Scrivener.  Shall  we  be  able  to  get  any- 
thing out  of  the  rascal  ? 

Carnac.  We  can  but  try and  be  pre- 
pared for  the  worst. 

Enter  Bearer,  showing  in  the  Rajah  of  Motiala, 
Barton,  and  Guard. 

Scrivener  {with  profound  bow).  Good-morn- 
ing, your  Highness.  (Rajah  salaams.) 

Carnac.      Good-morning,  your  Highness. 

Rajah  {salaams).  May  I  ask,  Sahib,  why  my 
suite  is  not  allowed  to  accompany  me  here  ? 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  85 

Scrivener.  We  wish  to  speak  privately 
with  you,  Prince. 

Rajah.  I  have  no  desire  to  speak  privately 
with  you,  Sahib. 

Scrivener.  It  is  in  your  Highness' s 
interest. 

Rajah.  You  will  perhaps  allow  me  to  judge 
what  is  for  my  interest.  Have  I  your  per- 
mission to  retire,  Sahib  ? 

Scrivener.  No.  Mr.  Barton,  take  your 
men  off  and  wait  within  call.  (Barton  takes 
off  his  men,  l.,  leaving  General,  Carnac  and 
Rajah.)  We  know  that  your  Highness  is  in 
communication  with  the  Rajah  of  Sirhoot  and 
the  Nawab  of  Fyzapore. 

(Rajah  salaams  unmoved.*) 

Carnac.     We  have  stopped  your  spies,  Ma- 
harajah, and  I  have  your  correspondence  here. 
{Producing  papers  from  desk  and  holding 
them  to  Rajah.) 

Rajah  {unmoved  ).  Then  there  is  no  neces- 
sity for  me  to  ^acquaint  you  with  anything 
further,  Sahib. 

Carnac.  Yes.  From  what  we  have  here 
we  learn  that  you  are  inciting  the  Rajah  of  Sir- 
hoot  to  rise,  and  you  have  arranged  that  he 
shall  be  joined  at  a  concerted  time  and  place  by 
your  scattered  troops. 

Rajah  {same  demeanour).      Indeed,  Sahib. 


8G  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  III 

Scrivener.  It  will  be  to  your  advantage, 
Prince,  to  give  us  the  particulars  of  that  place 
of  meeting  and  the  time — in  the  strictest  con- 
fidence. 

Rajah.  How  will  that  be  to  my  advantage, 
Sahib  ? 

Scrivener.  If  you  communicate  these  par- 
ticulars truthfully,  I  shall  send  you  to  Calcutta 
to  be  tried  by  the  civil  power  with  a  recom- 
mendation that  you  shall  be  dealt  with  leniently. 

Rajah.  And  if  I  do  not  communicate  those 
particulars  ? 

Scrivener.  Then  I  shall  try  you  this  after- 
noon, Prince,  and  if  you  are  found  guilty  I 
shall  have  your  Highness  shot  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. (Rajah  salaams  and  says  nothing.)  Has 
your   Highness   anything   to  say  ? 

Rajah.      Nothing,  Sahib. 

Scrivener  (goes  to  door,  calls).  Mr.  Barton 
{enter  Barton),  will  you  please  take  his  High- 
ness and  bring  him  up  for  trial  this  afternoon 
at  four,  as  arranged. 

Barton.  Yes,  sir.  (Signs  at  the  door  to  his 
men.  They  enter.)  If  your  Highness  is  ready. 
(Rajah  salaams  profoundly  to  Scrivener 
and  Carnac,  and  exit,  followed  by 
Barton  and  soldiers.  Scrivener  and 
Carnac  look  at  each  other  with  a 
grin  and  a  shrug.) 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  87 

Scrivener.      Nothing  to  be  got  out  of  him. 
(Carnac  zualks  a  step  or  two,   then,  as  if 
struck  with  an  idea.) 

Carnac.  Sir  —  If  I  may  suggest  —  try  him 
at  the  Ghur-i-n5or.  March  him  and  his  suite 
publicly  through  the  town  first,  and  let  it  be 
known  that  any  spy  who  is  in  his  pay  or  confi- 
dence will  be  amply  rewarded  for  bringing  any 
information. 

Scrivener.  Good.  Very  good.  Arrange 
that,    will   you  ? 

Carnac.      I  will,  sir. 

Scrivener.      Good-morning. 

Carnac.  Good-morning,  sir.  {Exit  Scriv- 
ener. Carnac  is  following  him.  As  Carnac  is 
going  off  Mahomet  appears  on  the  veranda. 
Carnac  happens  to  turn  back  for  a  moment,  sees 
Mahomet  there.)     What  are  you  doing  there? 

Mahomet.  Syrett  Sahib  sends  his  salaam, 
and  he  will  be  glad  to  know  whether  his  pres- 
ence will  be  required  at  the  council  this 
morning  ? 

Carnac  {curtly).  If  the  General  sends  for 
him. 

{Exit,   l.,    Mahomet    creeps  after    him.) 


88 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


Scene   II 

The  Ghur-i-noor   and   Bazaar,  Dilghaut. 

Large  Full  Scene. 

The  Ghur-i-noor  takes  up  the  back  of  the  stage  ;  it  is 
a  large  building  of  Hindoo  architecture,  with  a 
large  fight  of  steps.  To  the  r.  a  bazaar,  with 
workers  in  it;  to  the  l.,  archways  of  Hindoo 
architecture,  with  images,  etc.      Time,  the  afternoon. 

Discover  passers-by,  bhccsties,  etc.,  and  on  steps  a 
group  of  English  officers,  Bell,  Lovatt  and  Hobbs 
— looking  of  L. 

Bell.  What  are  you  loafing  about  here  for, 
Padri  ? 

Lovatt.  Padri  thinks  if  they  sentence  the 
Rajah  to  be  shot  there  will  be  a  chance  for  him 
to  sneak  in  a  little  spiritual  consolation,  don't 
you,  Padri  ? 

Hobbs.  No,  my  boy.  I  shall  reserve  my 
exercise  of  that  particular  function  till  I'm 
appointed  chaplain  of  Newgate,  and  get  a 
chance  of  practising  upon  you  some  fine  morn- 
ing. Rely  upon  me  to  improve  the  occasion 
and    give    you    a    good    send-off. 

(Noise  of  an  approaching  crowd  in  the 
distance.  Enter  Scrivener  ana 
Syrett,  r.  They  go  up  a  few  steps 
and  stand  still,  looking  off  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  approaching  crowd. ) 


scene  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  89 

Syrett.  Then  you  are  going  to  try  the 
Rajah   at   the   Ghti-i-ndor,   sir. 

Scrivener.  Yes.  I  thought  it  would  make 
a  good  impression  to  lead  him  through  the 
town. 

Enter  Carnac,  with  native  soldier  dragging 
on  Christna,  a  native  spy. 

Carnac  (to  General).  I  have  some  most 
important  news,  sir.  I  set  a  watch  on  the  Ra- 
jah, and  I  discovered  that  he  had  sent  this  man 
with  this  despatch  to  the  Rajah  of  Sirhoot. 
{Giving  the  despatch  to  Scrivener.)  It  seems 
the  whole  province  is  ready  to  burst  into  a 
blaze  All  the  forces  under  the  Rajah  of  Sir- 
hoot  are  in  mutiny,  and  meet  to-night  under  his 
command  to  march  on  Dilghaut.  (Scrivener 
glances  through  the  despatch.)  Bring  that  rascal 
here  !  We  caught  him  red-handed  !  (Aside  to 
Scrivener.)  It's  all  right,  sir.  The  blackguard 
has  sold  me  the  despatches  for  ten  rupees,  but 
I've  got  to  pretend  to  take  him  prisouer  to  save 
his  skin  from  his  comrades. 

(The  Rajah  is  led  in,  attended  by  his  suite  and 
a  guard  of  soldiers  in  charge  of  Barton, 
a  large  crowd  following,  Radnage  amongst 
them.  Mahomet  creeps  on  and  watches 
Carnac  during  the  following  scene.  When 
the  crowd  disperses  Mahomet  creeps  behind 
a  pillar  where  he  can  still  watch  Carnac) 


90  CARNA.C    SAHIB  act  Hi 

Rajah  (recognising  the  spy').  You've  turned 
traitor  ? 

Native.  No,  mighty  Highness !  I  had 
started  on  my  journey  to  do  the  great  com- 
mands of  your  mighty  Highness,  but  the  Sahib 
Carnac  rode  after  me  and  took  me  captive  and 
brought  me  back  by  the  hair  of  my  head, 
accursed  may  he  be  for  ever,  and  his  children, 
aad    his    children's    children. 

Scrivener  (having  read  the  despatch).  Your 
Highness,  I  need  not  ask  you  again  for  any 
details  of  the  insurrection.  I  have  them  all 
here  under  your  Highness's  seal.  Mr.  Barton, 
take  his  Highness  into  the  Ghur-i-noor,  and  we 
will  try  him  by  court-martial  at  once. 

Rajah.  Your  time  is  very  valuable,  Sahib  ; 
I  will  not  trouble  you  to  waste  any  of  it 
upon  me. 

(He  has  a  small  bottle  of  poison  in  his  hand ;  he 
puts  it  suddenly  to  his  lips  and  drains  it  off. 
The  English  officers  rush  to  him  and  try  to 
stop  him.  He  puts  them  away  and  drops 
the  poison  bottle,  smiling  at  them.) 
Scrivener.  Major  Radnage,  will  you  please 
look  to  his  Highness? 

(Radnage  goes  to  the  Rajah.  ) 
Rajah.      It  is  too  late,  Sahib.     You  will  also 
find  it  too  late  to  stop  the  insurrection.      My 
ally,  the  Maharajah  of  Sirhoot,  has  taken  all  his 


scene  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  91 

measures.  Fyzapore  will  be  in  our  hands 
to-morrow  night.  Dilghaut  will  be  in  our  hands 
in  one  week.  Barton  Sahib,  I  am  at  your  ser- 
vice for  the  remainder  of  my  life. 

Scrivener.  Take  him  away,  Mr.  Bar- 
ton. Major  Radnage,  see  if  anything  can  be 
done  ! 

( They  advance  to  take  him,  but  he  waves  them 

away,     and    makes     a    profound    salaam 

with    his   left  hand.      Barton,   Lovatt, 

and     officers    hurry    him    off.        Exeunt 

Barton,    Lovatt,     Bell,     Hobbs,    and 

Radnage,  with  Rajah   and  suite,  followed 

by     the    crowd.        Mahomet     stays    and 

stealthily  watches  Carnac  front  a  point  of 

view  open    to    the  audience,   but  concealed 

from   Carnac.     Carnac,   Scrivener,  and 

Syrett  remain  on  the  steps,   Scrivener 

anxiously    mastering   the   contents    of  the 

despatch.) 

Scrivener.      This  is   serious,    Carnac.      We 

must  call    out  every  man  at   once,   and    march 

early  to-morrow. 

Carnac.       What  about  Fyzapore,  sir  ? 
Scrivhner.         The     palace     is      defensible. 
Don't    you    think    they    can     hold    out  ? 
Carnac.      How  long,  sir  ? 
Scrivener.      If  this  information  is  correct  I 
shall  want  every  man  that  I  have,  and  with  the 
best  of  luck  it  will  take  me  a  week  at  least  —  a 


92  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  in 

fortnight,  perhaps,  to  stamp  it  out.      They  can 
hold  out  that  time  ? 

Carnac.  If  they  had  a  man  to  orga:  ze  the 
defence.  But  they've  got  nobody  there  that's 
worth  his  salt. 

Scrivener.     You  must  go,  Carnac. 
Carnac  {taken  aback).     I'd  rather  go  to  the 
front    with    you,    sir,    and     get    some    fighting. 
There's  nothing  to  be  done  at  Fyzapore.      If  I 

may  suggest Colonel  Syrett 

Syrett.  Thank  you,  Colonel  Carnac.  (To 
General.)  I'm  not  acquainted  with  Fyza- 
pore, sir.  Colonel  Carnac  knows  every  inch 
of   it. 

(The  General  looks  at  both  men  in  inde- 
cision, walks  a  step  or   two,  they  both 
appeal  to  him  mutely,  and  wait  for  his 
decision  7vith  anxious  expectation.) 
Scrivener   (at  length).      You    see    from    this 
(indicating   despatch),   the  Nawab    is    lying    low 
somewhere,   and   he'll   try  to  rally  his  men  the 
moment    he    knows     I've    marched    from     Dil- 
ghaut.      You   must    go   to   Fyzapore,   Carnac. 

(Carnac's    countenance  falls  with   intense 
disappointment. ) 
Carnac.      Very    well,   sir!      (Mutters.)      My 
rotten   luck   again ! 


scene  ir  CARNAC    SAHIB  93 

Enter  Radnage. 

Scrivener.  What  about  the  Rajah,  Major 
Radnage ? 

Radnage.  Gone,  sir.  Went  off  with  the 
usual   beatific   serenity   of   an   aged   sinner. 

Carnac.  I  shall  be  rather  short  of  men, 
sir,  at  Fyzapore.  Will  you  allow  me  to  take 
Major  Radnage  with  me  ? 

Scrivener  {after  a  moment}.     Very  well. 

Carnac.  I'm  going  to  Fyzapore,  Billy,  to 
tinker  up  the  palace  defences,  bully  the  na- 
tives, and  keep  our  women  from  hysterics. 
Will   you   come  with   me  ? 

Radnage.  Delighted,  Colonel  !  And,  wheth- 
er it's  killing  men  or  curing  ladies,  you  shall 
find  me  equal  to  it,  and  you  shall  never 
regret    giving    me    another    chance. 

(  Warmly  shaking  hands  with  Carnac.  ) 

Carnac.  Bring  plenty  of  bromide,  Billy. 
It's  the  only  weapon  we  shall  want  at  Fyza- 
pore. 

Enter  Olive  furtively,  seen  only  at  first  by  Car- 
nac. She  has  a  letter  in  her  hand  which  she 
shows  to  him  secretly. 

Scrivener.  Colonel  Syrett,  will  you  be  at 
my  bungalow  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  con- 
sult about  our  march  to-morrow  morning  ? 


94  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  hi 

Syrett.     Yes,  sir. 

Scrivener.  Carnac.  You  will  start  for 
Fyzapore    of    course    to-night. 

Carnac   {looking  at   Olive).     To-night,   sir  ? 

Scrivener.  As  soon  as  possible.  When 
can    you    be    ready  ? 

Carnac.  At  eight  —  (Olive  slightly  frowns 
and  shakes  her  head  )  or  ten.  Rely  on  me,  sir, 
that  I'll  be  in  the  palace  by  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. 

Scrivener.  Very  well.  {He  is  going  off, 
sees  Olive,  stops  a  moment.')  Colonel  Carnac, 
you  will  start  at  the  earliest  possible  mo- 
ment. 

Carnac.     Yes,   sir. 

(Scrivener  bows  to  Olive  and  exit. 
Olive  comes  up  to  Carnac  and 
Syrett.) 

Olive.  Where  are  you  going  to-night, 
Colonel    Carnac  ? 

Carnac.     To   Fyzapore. 

Olive.      At   what   time? 

Carnac.     At   the  earliest    possible   moment. 

Olive.     Will   it   be   dangerous  ? 

Carnac.  About  as  dangerous  as  a  Hyde 
Park   review. 

Olive  {comes  up  between  them,  turns  very 
sweetly  to  Syrett,  and  behind  her  back  gives 
Carnac  the  letter  as  she  is  speaking  to  Syrett. 


Scene  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  95 

Carnac  takes  letter,  shows  great  delight.  To 
Syrett).  Are  you  going  to  Fyzapore,  too, 
Colonel    Syrett  ? 

Syrett.  No.  I  march  with  the  General 
to-morrow  morning  to  stop  the  Rajah  of 
Sirhoot. 

Olive.     Will    that    be    dangerous  ? 

Syrett.     We  shall  have  some  fighting. 

Olive.      I  wish  you  every  success. 

Syrett.     Thank  you. 

Olive  (she  is  going  off,  Syrett  is  following 
her).  No,  please  don't  come.  (To  Carnac.) 
I  wish  you  every  success  to-night,  Colonel 
Carnac. 

Carnac.  Thank  you.  (Exit  Olive.)  Arthur, 
you  are  the  lucky  man  again. 

(Exit,  holding  the  letter  in  front  of  him  so 
that  Syrett  cannot  see  it.  Syrett  is 
going  off  when  Mahomet  creeps  out  to 
him. ) 

Mahomet  (salaams).  Sahib,  the  thief  will 
steal   the   Memsahib's  jewels   to-night. 

Syrett.  I'll  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
(Pause.)  You  won't  wait  till  he  has  stolen  the 
jewels  before  you 

Mahomet.  Do  not  fear,  Sahib.  He  shall 
not  steal  the  jewels.  Why  do  you  look  at  me 
like  that,  Sahib  ?  Carnac  Sahib  will  never  go 
to  Fyzapore.     There  will   be  an  accident.      Or 


I 


96 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


perhaps  it  will  not  be  an  accident.  Perhaps 
Carnac  Sahib  will  know  it  is  Mahomet  Ali  who 
strikes  him  before  he  can  steal  the  Memsahib's 
jewels,  and  then  all  men  shall  know  that 
Mahomet  Ali  will  not  surfer  to  be  struck  by 
Carnac  Sahib.  Mahomet  Ali  will  strike  back, 
and  then  a  good  stout  English  rope  will  go 
queek   round   my  throat.      Queek  ! 

Syrett.      I'll   have   nothing   to  do   with   it. 
{Exit.       Mahomet     is    going    off,    meets 
Seeta,    who     enters    from     behind    a 
pillar.') 
Mahomet.     Ah,  my   sister  !     Attend    to   me. 
I    will   not   be   followed. 

Seeta.  My  brother,  tell  me  you  will  do  no 
evil  to  Carnac  Sahib. 

Mahomet.  Evil  to  Carnac  Sahib  !  Let  me 
die  the  death  of  the  wicked  if  I  harm  a  hair  of 
his  head.  The  noble  Carnac  Sahib  !  Why 
should  I  harm  him  ?  (Is  going  off,  she  is  follow- 
ing him,  he  turns  round  savagely.)  Follow  me 
not,   Seeta.      If  thou   dost,    I    will   kill    thee. 

( Waves  her  off.  Exit.  Seeta  stands 
looking  after  him  as  the  stage  grows 
dark,  creeps   after  him.) 


{Scene   closed   in   by  Scene  III. ) 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  97 


Scene    III 

Room   in   Carnac's   Bungalow  —  Night  — 
Half-past  Seven 

Discover  Carnac  with  a  letter,  notched  on  the  fly- leaf, 
and  a  rose. 

Carnac  {reads  the  letter).  "Faithful  scholar, 
I  bring  you  a  rose  !  Read  truly  its  deep  mean- 
ing, and  count  how  many  notches  there  are  in 
this  paper!"  {Counts)  One,  two,  three,  four, 
five,  six,  seven,  eight  —  {reading).  Was  ever 
such  rotten  luck  !  To  be  sent  to  that  hole  to- 
night !  To  be  dished  out  of  all  the  fighting 
and  nearly  all  the  love-making  !  {Looking  at 
watch.')  Quarter  past  seven  !  She'll  be  here 
at  eight  !  I  must  start  at  ten  !  {Skips  over  a 
couch  on  his  way  to  door,  l.  ,  as  Mahomet's  face 
peeps  from  behind  the  curtains,  a?id  then  with- 
draws.      Calls    off,  l.)     Syce  ! 

(Carnac  comes  center,  pressing  the  rose  to 
his   lips. ) 

Syce  {enters  and  salaams).     Sahib  ! 

Carnac.  Have  Bay  Margaret  saddled  for 
me  at  ten.  Give  her  a  big  feed  and  rub  her 
down  well,  for  I  shall  ride  her  like  the  devil. 
Have  Emperor  saddled  for  yourself,  and  Mis- 
chief for  the  other  Syce.  We  start  for  Fyza- 
pore  at  ten  to  the  minute  ! 

H 


98  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  hi 

Syce.     At  ten  to  the  minute,  Sahib. 

{Sa/aams  and  exit. ) 
Carnac  {returns,  takes    the  rose).      And    now 
to   kick  my  heels  for  half   an   hour 

Enter  Ali   Khan,  l. 

All     A  lady  to  see  you,  Sahib. 

Carnac  {with  great  surprise  and  delight). 
Show  her  in.  (Exit  Ali  Khan.  )  Good  luck  ! 
Good  luck!        (Ali  Khan  shows  in  Ellice.) 

Carnac  {surprised).      Miss  Ford  ! 

Ellice.  I  must  speak  to  you  alone.  {To 
Ali  Khan.)  Ask  my  Ayah  to  wait  outside  for 
me.  {Exit  Ali  Khan.) 

Carnac.  I'm  afraid  I  can  only  give  you  a 
few  minutes 

Ellice  {much  agitated).  Forgive  my  com- 
ing to  you  like  this.     You  are  in  great  danger. 

Carnac.     Danger? 

Ellice.  You  will  be  killed  to-night  if 
you 

Carnac.       If    I  ? 

Ellice.  You  mustn't  go  anywhere  to- 
night. 

Carnac.     I  must  go  to  Fyzapore  by-and-by. 

Ellice.  You  mustn't  go  alone;  and  till 
you  start  you  mustn't  be  alone  for  a  moment. 

Carnac.      I  don't  understand  you. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  99 

Ellice.  Promise  me  you  won't  see  —  any- 
one—  till  you   start   for   Fyzapore. 

Carnac.  A  moment  ago  you  said  I  was 
not  to  be  alone  for  a  moment.  Now  you  say 
I  must  not  see  anyone. 

Ellice.  You  must  not  see  one  particular 
person.      If  you   do   you   will   be   killed. 

Carnac.  What  particular  person  must  I 
not    see    to-night  ? 

Ellice   {embarrassed').     Don't   you    know? 
(Carnac    turns    away,    abashed,    takes    a 
turn    or   two    as    if  in    deep   thought.) 

Carnac.  Thank  you  very  much.  I  am 
warned,  and  I  will  guard  against  any  possi- 
ble   danger. 

Ellice.  You  can't.  It  will  come  when 
you    least    expect    it. 

Carnac.      I  will  take  all  precautions.      Now 

you  must  let  me  say  good-night 

(  Taking  out  watch.) 

Ellice.  Ah  !  Don't  look  at  your  watch. 
You  must  not  go  —  you  shall  not.  I  did  not 
mean  to  speak  like  that,  but  if  you  don't  be- 
lieve  me,  I  don't  know  what  I  shall  do.  You 
won't  go? 

Carnac.  Tell  me  all  you  know.  Speak 
quite    plainly. 

Ellice.  My  Ayah  is  the  sister  of  Maho- 
met   Ali,   Colonel    Syrett's    bearer,    and    she    is 


100  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  in 

to  be  married  to  Mrs.  Arnisou's  bearer. 
(Mahomet  Ali  creeps  out  at  back  from  cur- 
tain  with  a  lifted  knife. )  She  is  very  faithful 
to   me.      To-night   she   has    learned    from    Mrs. 

Arnison's    bearer  that Ask    Colonel    Syrett 

he    knows ! 

Carnac.     Colonel   Syrett  knows  what  ? 

(Ellice  suddenly  sees  Mahomet  Ali,  who  is 
rushing  at  him  with  the  lifted  knife.  She 
screams,  and  Carnac  turns  round  just  in 
time  to  catch  Mahomet's  hand,  seizes  Ma- 
homet, takes  the  knife  from  him,  and 
throws  him  on  the  ground.) 
Ellice  {goes  to  door.  Calls).  Bearer! 
Bearer  !      Syce  !      Quick  ! 

Carnac  {to   Ellice).      You   were   right !      I 
was    in    danger. 


Enter  Ali    Khan   and  two  or  three  servants,   l. 

Carnac.     Take   this  man   and    put  him   un- 
der arrest.     Go  to  Colonel  Syrett  and  ask  him 
to    please    come    here    to    me    at    once.       Take 
care    that    man    does    not    escape. 
Ali.     He  shall    not  escape,   Sahib. 

(Mahomet  is  taken  off,  l.,  by  Ali  Khan 
and  servants.) 
Ellice   {who  is  frightened  and  half  crying). 
You   are  not   hurt  ? 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  101 

Carnac.  Not  a  scratch.  I  should  have 
been  killed  if  it  hadn't  been  for  you.  Thank 
you  with  all  my  heart.  Am  I  in  any  further 
danger  ? 

Eli.ice.  I  don't  know.  Seeta  got  it  all 
from  Mrs.  Arnison's  bearer.  He  says  that 
Colonel  Syrett  knew  you  were  to  be  killed 
to-night. 

Carnac.      Impossible.      Impossible ! 

Ellice.     At   least  —  promise   me   now 

Carnac.     What  ? 

Ellice.  There  may  be  others  watching  for 
you.  Promise  me  you  won't  go  where — where 
your  life  may  be  in  danger. 

Carnac.  How  can  I  tell  where  my  life  may 
be  in  danger  ? 

( Going  to  table,  his  eye  falls  on  the  letter 
and  rose  —  she  sees  them  too  —  an  em- 
barrassed pause.) 

Ellice  (is  going  off  at  door;  she  turns  with 
great  reproach).  You  might  at  least  promise 
me  you   will   run   no   further  risk   to-night. 

Carnac.  Miss  Ford,  I  promise  you  that  I 
will  run  no  risk  to-night,  except  such  as  you 
would  wish  a  good   soldier   to   run. 

Ellice.  Thank  you  !  Thank  you  !  (Em- 
barrassed.) My  Ayah  is  waiting  for  me.  I 
must   go 


102 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


Enter  Ali  Khan,  announces  Syrett  Sahib. 
Enter  Syrett,  exit  Ali  Khan.  Syrett 
bows  to  Ellice. 

Syrett.  You  sent   for   me  ? 

Carnac.  I   have  your  bearer  under  arrest. 

Syrett.  What   for  ? 

Carnac.  He  has   tried   to   stab   me.      Have 

you   anything   to   say? 

(  Watching  him   keenly. ) 

Syrett  {after  a  pause).     No. 

Carnac.  Do  you  know  what  the  rascal's 
accomplice   says? 

Syrett  (alarmed).      What  ? 

Carnac  (to  Ellice).  I  wish  to  give  Colonel 
Syrett  the  opportunity  of  denying  what  I  am 
sure  is   an   unjust    charge. 

Ellice.  Mrs.  Arnison's  bearer  told  my 
Ayah  that  you  knew  that  your  bearer  meant 
to   kill   Colonel   Carnac   to-night. 

Carnac.     It's   false  ? 

Syrett.  Of  course  it's  false  !  Of  course 
it's  false  !  Have  you  anything  more  to  say 
to   me?  (Going.) 

Carnac.  Yes.  Please  wait  a  moment. 
Miss  Ford,  I  am  glad  that  you  have  heard 
Colonel  Syrett's  denial.  Will  you  leave  me 
a   moment   with   Colonel    Syrett  ? 

Ellice.     Good-night. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  103 

Carnac.  No,  not  good-night.  I  want  to 
see  you  before  I  start  for  Fyzapore.  {Exit 
Ellice.  He  closes  the  door  carefully  after  her. 
Watching  Svrett  keenly.')  So  you  knew  noth- 
ing of  this  business  ? 

Syrett.      Don't  I  tell  you  I  knew  nothing? 

Carnac.  Give  me  your  word  of  honour  you 
knew  nothing  of  it. 

Syrett.      Don't  I   tell  you  I  knew  nothing  ! 

{Is  going.) 

Carnac  {stopping  him).  Your  word  of 
honour  as  an  English  officer  and  a  gentleman 
—  you  knew  nothing  of  it? 

{A   very  long  pause.  ) 

Syrett  {at  length).  I  did  know  of  it,  damn 
you  ! 

Carnac.  Ah  !  ah  !  and  you  promised  to 
fight    fair  ! 

Syrett.      Fight   me   now ! 

Carnac.  Fight  you !  Fight  a  man  who 
sets   an   assassin   to   stab   me  in  the  back  ! 

Syrett.  I  didn't  set  him  on  !  You  kicked 
the  man  and  he  threatened  to  kill  you.  It 
was  his   quarrel,  not   mine. 

Carnac.      But   you   knew   of   it  ! 

Syrett.  It  was  no  affair  of  mine.  Fight 
me  !     Fight   me  ! 

Carnac.  I'll  see  you  damned  before  I'll 
fight   you ! 


104  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  hi 

Syrett.      Fight   me !     Fight    me ! 

Carnac.  Not  I  !  My  life's  worth  too  much 
just  now  to  throw  it  away  on  you,  even  if  it 
was  allowed  in  the  service.  And  you  promised 
to  fight  fair  ! 

Syrett.        I    will    fight    fair !       Fight    me ! 

Fight     me,    or 

{Raises    his   hand  to   strike   Carnac.) 

Carnac.  Look  here  you  fool,  if  you  strike 
me  I  shall  have  to  get  you  court-martialled, 
and  all  this  dirty  business  will  leak  out. 
Give  me  a  chance  of  hushing  it  up  for  the 
sake  of  the  old  times.  I  don't  want  to  spoil 
your  future  career.  Say  that  you're  sorry ! 
Say  that  you  were  led  away  by  anger,  mad- 
ness, jealousy;  say  anything  that  will  let  me 
see  a  bit  of  the  gentleman  and  man  of  hon- 
our left  in  you  !  Come  now,  old  fellow,  don't 
force  me  to  get  you  kicked  out  of  the  service. 

Syrett  {after  a  little  pause).  I'm  sorry.  I 
have  behaved  like  a  skunk  and  a  blackguard. 
But  I  was  mad  with  jealousy.  I'm  ashamed 
of   myself. 

Carnac.     Say  no  more. 

Syrett.  I'm  ready  to  go  to  the  General 
and    tell    him    all    if    you    wish. 

Carnac.  What  good  would  that  do  ? 
Take  the  rascal  away  with  you.  Give  him 
as   much   money   as  will   shut    his    mouth,   and 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  105 

kick  him  to  the  other  end  of  India.  Then 
forget  what  has  happened  to-night.  I'll  for- 
get  it    too. 

Syrett.  I'll  never  forget  what  you've 
done  for  me  to-night,  Carnac.  My  life  is  at 
your  service   if  you   need   it. 

Carnac.  I  don't  at  present,  thank  you, 
only  don't  keep  on  threatening  to  take  mine, 
there's   a   good   fellow. 

Syrett.  You  won't  shake  hands  with  me, 
I   suppose? 

Carnac.       I'd    rather    not   just    now,   if   you 
don't    mind.       But    I    will    when    you've    done 
something    to    wash    this    out. 
Syrett.       Good-night. 
Carnac.      Good-night. 

{Exit  Syrett.  Left  alone,  Carnac  goes  to 
the  table,  takes  up  the  letter  and  the  rose, 
shows  a  struggle,  burns  the  letter  in  the 
lamp,  goes  to  veranda,  throws  the  rose 
away,  comes  down.  A  knock  at  door,  l. 
Pause.  Another  knock.  He  goes  towards 
door.  Olive's  voice  heard  on  other  side 
of  door.) 
Olive.     Are  you  alone  ? 

Enter  Ali   Khan,  l. 
All      Mr.  Barton.  {Exit.) 


106  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  hi 

Enter  Barton  in  great  excitement,  salutes. 

Barton.  The  Nawab  has  surrounded  Fyza- 
pore,  sir,  and  has  taken  several  of  our  native 
soldiers  and  put  their  eyes  out.  He  is  threat- 
ening the  Palace,  but  we're  holding  it.  The 
General  says  it's  a  desperate  job,  and  he  can 
only  spare  you  Kynaston's  Company.  Will 
you  take  them  on  to  Fyzapore,  throw  them 
into    the    Palace,   and    hold    it    if    possible? 

Carnac.  Right.  I'll  start  this  moment. 
By   Jove,    I've    got    the    fighting    after    all ! 

Barton.  I  congratulate  you,  sir.  The 
General  says  the  native  soldiers  will  want 
some  British  stiffening,  and  you  may  take 
one    or   two    volunteers,   sir. 

Ali  Khan  (re-entering).  Captain  Bell  and 
Mr.  Lovatt  wish  to  speak  to  you  at  once, 
Sahib,   on    important    business. 

Carnac.      Show    them   in. 

(Exit  Ali   Khan.  ) 

Barton.     They  want  you  to  take  them,  sir. 

I    hope   you    won't    leave   me    out   in   the   cold, 

sir. 

Re-enter   Ali    Khan,  showing  in    Bell    and 
Lovatt.      Exit   Ali    Khan. 

Bell.      I    beg   pardon,   sir.      I    wish    to   vol- 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  107 

unteer  to  go  with  you  in   the  forlorn   hope   to- 
night to  Fyzapore. 

Lovatt.  I  hope  you'll  take  me,  sir.  You 
know  you  can  rely  upon  me,  sir. 

Carnac.  How  many  did  the  General  say  I 
can  take  ? 

Barton.  The  General  said  "One  or  two," 
sir.  I  hope  you  won't  forget  what  I  did  at 
Blakepore,  sir. 

Lovatt.  You  had  that  chance,  Barton.  I 
hope  you'll  consider  it's  my  turn  now,  sir. 

(  They  all  stand  in  mute  supplication.  ) 

Carnac.  Captain  Bell  and  Mr.  Barton,  I'll 
take  you  with  me. 

(Lovatt  bursts  into  tears. ) 

Bell.  Thank  you,  sir,  thank  you!  I'm 
much  obliged  to  you,  sir  ! 

Barton.      Thank  you  !     Thank  you,  sir  ! 

Carnac.  Captain  Bell,  parade  the  Company 
and  bring  them  here  at  once. 

Bell.     Yes,   sir.  {Exit.) 

Carnac.  Mr.  Barton,  see  that  a  day's  pro- 
visions are  prepared,  and  the  horses  brought 
round  at  once. 

Barton.     Yes,  sir.  {Exit.) 

Carnac.     Come,  Mr.  Lovatt 

Lovatt.  Do  take  me,  sir  !  You  shall  never 
regret  it  !  I'll  fight  like  old  Nick  for  you,  sir  ! 
Do  take  me  ! 


108 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


Carnac.  The  General  said  one  or  two.  I've 
chosen  two. 

Lovatt.  I    think  I  can  get    the   General's 

permission,  sir.      Do  take  me,  sir  ! 

Carnac.  Very  well.  If  the  General  can 
spare  you. 

Lovatt.  Thank  you,  sir. 

Enter  Ali  Khan,  showing  in  Hobbs. 
Exit  Lovatt. 


Carnac.      What  now,  Padri  ? 
Hobbs.       I  beg  pardon,   Colonel.      I've  just 
heard  you've  got  a  good  thing  on  at  Fyzapore, 
and  want  a  few  handy  chaps.      I  hope  you'll  let 
me  ride  with  you. 

already    full,     Padri.        And 
fighting     than     praying,    I 


I'm 

more 


Carnac. 
there'll  be 
expect. 

Hobbs.  Well,  sir,  I  know  I'm  an  awful 
duffer  at  my  own  profession,  but  I  think  I 
should  be  a  bit  of  a  flyer  at  the  other.  Barton 
and  Lovatt  have  done  nothing  but  chaff  me 
about  my  cloth  ever  since  I've  been  here,  and  I 
want  to  show  them  that  when  it  comes  to  being 
cut  to  bits,  I'm  just  as  good  a  man  as  they  are, 
and  perhaps  better. 

Carnac.  All  right,  Padri.  If  you  get  the 
General's  consent. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  109 

Horbs.  Thank  you,  sir.  I'm  awfully 
obliged.  I'll  get  my  pony  round,  and  (very 
much,  excited}  God  bless  you,  sir!  I'll  get  my 
pony  round  !     God  bless  you  !     God  bless  you  ! 

Carnac  {goes  to  door  R. ).  Mrs.  Arnison  ! 
(Olive  enters.)     You  heard  ? 

Olive.     Yes. 

Carnac.  I've  not  a  moment  to  spare. 
Good-bye. 

Olive.      You  sha'n't  go.      I  won't  let  you. 

Carnac.     What  ! 

Olive  You  can  be  ill — or — find  some  other 
excuse.  When  you  get  a  little  way  out,  send 
them   on   and  ride  back  to  me. 

Carnac.     What  ! 

Olive.  Ride  back  to  me.  I'll  meet  you. 
You  can  still  get  to  Fyzapore  in  the  morning. 

Carnac.  Meantime  all  the  English  may  be 
murdered. 

Olive.  Then  you'll  be  too  late  to  rescue 
them,  and  you'll  only  be  killed  j7ourself. 

Carnac.  That's  no  reason  for  sneaking  out 
of  it.      Now  will  you  please  excuse  me  ? 

Olive.  Colonel  Carnac,  if  you  don't  ride 
back  to  me  to-night  there's  an  end  to  everything 
between  us. 

Carnac.     All  right.     Good-bye. 

OLive     I  hate  you  !     I  hate  you  ! 

(Scrivener's  voice  heard  off  l.  ) 


110  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  hi 

Scrivener.     Say  I  must  see  him  at  once. 
Carnac.      The  General  !      {Points  to  door  R. 
She  makes  as  if  to  stay.)     For  God's  sake  !     Do 
you  wish  to  ruin  yourself? 

{She  goes  off,   r.,   but  not  before    Scrivener 

enters  l.,  shown  in  by  Ali    Khan,  in  time 

to  see  her  as  she  goes  off.     Exit  Olive,  r. 

Exit  Ali  Khan.) 

Scrivener    {very   sternly).     Colonel    Carnac, 

I  sent  you  an  order  to  start  for  Fyzapore,  and 

I   find   you 

Carnac.  You  find  me  ready,  sir.  Your 
order  came  three  minutes  ago.  {Goes  up,  looks 
out  from  veranda.)  My  horse  is  saddled,  and 
the  men  are   now  on   parade. 

Enter,  l.,  Ellice. 

Ellice.  Sir  Hardinge  —  Colonel  Carnac! 
You've    heard? 

Carnac.     What? 

Ellice.  The  Nawab  is  in  Fyzapore.  He's 
putting  out  their  eyes.  My  father  !  My  sister  ! 
I   must  go  to  them.     You'll  take  me  ? 

Carnac.    My  dear  Miss  Ford,  it's  impossible. 

Ellice.  If  you  don't  take  me  I  shall  come 
on  by  myself. 

Carnac.     You  will  never  be  so  foolish. 

Ellice.  Whatever  happens,  I  shall  come 
on  myself.     Sir   Hardinge,  you'll   let   me  go  ? 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  111 

Scrivener.  My  dear  young  lady,  you  are 
mad  to  dream  of  it.  Carnac,  the  men  are  on 
parade   outside.  {Exit  at  veranda.) 

Carnac.     Yes,  sir. 

Ellice  (to  Carnac).  I  must  go  to  them. 
Take   me   to-night. 

Carnac.  Impossible.  But  if  I  get  there 
to-night  without  being  cut  to  bits,  and  it's 
possible  to  get  you  into  the  Palace,  I  will  send 
an  escort  for  you  to-morrow  night. 

Ellice.     You   won't   fail   me  ? 

Carnac.      I   won't   fail  you.     Good-bye. 

Ellice.     Good-bye. 

Carnac.      If   I   come   out   of   this 

Scrivener  (voice  heard  off  ~).    Colonel  Carnac  ! 

Enter  Barton,  Lovatt,  Hobbs,  Bell,  and 

Radnage. 

Carnac.  Now  my  lads.  Steady  march  to 
Fyzapore.  We  shall  reach  there  at  four  to- 
morrow morning,  and  at  five  we  must  either 
be  inside  the  Palace  or  every  man  of  us  must 
be  chopped  to  pieces  outside  it. 

(Exeunt  all  except  Ellice.  Word  of  com- 
mand given.  Military  music.  Ellice 
watching. ) 

Seventeen   days  elapse  between  Acts  III  and  IV. 


ACT    IV 

Scene   I 

The  Jewelled  Palace  at  Fyzapore,  a  magnificent 
building  of  Mohammedan  architecture,  with  arches 
at  back,  showing  the  outer  wall,  which  overlooks  a 
stretch  of  Indian  plain. 

Entrances  r.  and  l.,  a?id  at  back.  The  zualls  are 
broken  and  cracked  in  places,  giving  indications  of 
a  siege.  Time,  sunset.  A  large  table  is  set  at  back 
■with  tinned  meats,  biscuits,  champagne,  coffee,  etc. 

Discover  Ellice  busy  making  coffee  at  the  table,  and 
arranging  the  table  for  a  meal,  helped  by  Amina. 
Mrs.  Whitmore,  a  very  pale,  delicate  lady,  about 
thirty,  is  seated  at  back  on  the  steps.  Pier  face  is 
rigid  zvith  despair ;  her  eyes  staring.  She  looks 
steadfastly  in  front  of  her,  sometimes  wringing 
her  hands,  but  otherwise  taking  no  notice.  All  the 
faces  of  the  besieged  throughout  this  scene  are  very 
pale  a?id  drazun  zvith  fright  and  despair.  In  the 
middle  of  the  stage  Carnac  is  sleeping  in  the 
sprawling  attitude  of  one  overcome  with  fatigue. 
May  Ford,  an  English  girl  of  eleven,  is  bending 
over  him,  fanning  him  to  keep  the  flies  away. 
Ellice  goes  to  Mrs.  Whitmore. 
(112) 


scene  i  CAKNAC    SAHIB  113 

Ellice.      Come  !     Try  and  eat  something. 

Mrs.  Whitmore.  Let  me  be.  Let  me  be  ! 
Why  doesn't  Colonel  Carnac  surrender  and 
let  them  come  and  murder  us  ?  Then  we 
should    be   at    peace. 

(Ellice,   with    a   gesture  of  helplessness, 
comes   to   May.) 

May.      She   hasn't   any  pluck,  has   she? 

Ellice.  Hush,  dear.  Her  mind  is  going, 
poor  creature. 

Ford  {entering  very  hurriedly).  Where's  the 
Colonel  ? 

Ellice  {pointing  to  Carnac).  He  said  he 
might  have  a  heavy  night's  work,  and  he  must 
get  a  snatch  of  sleep  to  be  ready  for  it.  He 
began  to  eat,  but  he  dropped  down  dead  asleep 
before  he  had  taken  a  mouthful.  Don't  wake 
him.  Think  how  long  he  has  been  on  the 
watch. 

Ford.  Poor  fellow.  He's  right.  I  ought 
not   to  disturb   him. 

Ellice.      Is  anything  the  matter  ? 

Ford.  Those  blackguard  native  soldiers 
are  getting  out  of  hand.  They  want  to  send  a 
message  to  the  Nawab  and  give  up  the  Palace. 

Ellice.  He  knows  that.  He  has  disarmed 
them.      Don't  wake  him. 

Ford.  My  poor  girl,  you  are  fagged  to 
death,  too.     What  possessed  you  to  come  here 

i 


114  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  IV 

when  you  were  safe  at  Dilghaut?     What  pos- 
sessed  Carnac   to   send   for  you  ? 

Ellice.  He  promised  me  faithfully  that  if 
it  was  possible  to  get  me  into  the  Palace  he 
would  send  for  me,  and  he  kept  his  word. 
Do  you  think  I  could  have  stayed  there  when 
I   thought  they  were  putting  your  eyes  out  ? 

May.  The  Nawab  daren't  put  my  eyes  out. 
I  had  a  sword,  and  I  should  have  simply  cleft 
him   where   he   stood. 

Ford  {smiles  at  May,  turns  to  Ellice).  Give 
me  a  mouthful  of  something,  dear.  I'll  take 
it  with  me  and  go  back  and  help  Bell  and 
Lovatt  to  keep  those  scoundrels  down.  What 
is  there  ?  {Going  to  table.) 

Ellice  {following  him).  Only  the  tinned 
things  and  biscuit.  All  the  wine  has  gone, 
except  champagne.  They've  found  another 
dozen  cases  in  the  stores,  so  there's  plenty  of 
that.      And  tea   and   coffee. 

Ford.  I'll  take  enough  for  Lovatt  and 
Bell,  and  myself.  We  sha'n't  be  able  to 
leave    those    blackguards    for    a    moment. 

{Taking  things  from   the  table.) 

Mrs.  Whitmore  {rises,  wringing  her  hands). 
Why  doesn't  Colonel  Carnac  give  us  up  and 
end  it  ?  Oh  God,  let  them  come  in  and  kill 
us  and  end  it !  End  it,  I  say  !  End  it !  End 
it !  {Exit  wringing  her  hands.) 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  US 

Ford.     Poor  creature.     Still  the  same. 

Ellice.     Just  the  same.      I  can't  rouse  her. 

Ford.  It  won't  be  much  longer  for  her. 
It    won't    be    much    longer    for    any   of    us. 

May.  Padri  says  that  when  all  the  powder 
is   gone 

Ford  {alarmed,  glancing  round').  Hush,  my 
darling!  We  mustn't  let  the  soldiers  know 
there's    no    powder. 

May.  Of  course  not.  Still,  Padri  says 
that  when  all  the  powder  is  gone  we  must 
simply  cut  our  way  through,  that's  all.  So 
you    needn't    get    in    a    funk,   daddy. 

Ford.  I  won't  get  in  a  funk,  dear.  {Calls 
Ellice  aside.')  I  think  to-night  will  end  it, 
dear.      If    it    should  ? 

Ellice.  I  think  I  shall  be  ready.  I  think 
my  courage  will  hold  out. 

Ford.  God  bless  you,  dear.  {Kisses  her. 
Poi?its  to  Carnac.)  If  he  wakes,  tell  him  we 
are  at  the  Guard-room  doing  our  best  to  keep 
those  devils  down. 

{Exit,  taking  champagne,  tinned  meat  and 
biscuits. ) 

Ellice.  Ayah,  go  to  the  hospital  and  tell 
Miss  Lovelace  and  Major  Radnage  that  you'll 
stay  there  whilst  they  come  to  dinner.  {Exit 
Amina.)  May,  go  down  the  two  mining  shafts 
and   tell    Mr.   Barton   and    Padri   that  the  din- 


116  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

ner  is  ready  if  they  can  be  spared.      I'll  watch 
him. 

{Pointing  to  Carnac.  May  gives  the  fan 
to  Ellice  and  exit.  Ellice  fans 
Carnac.) 

Enter  Madge  Lovelace,  a  haggard  English 
lady,  about  thirty.  She  comes  up  to  Ellice 
and  kisses  her. 

Ellice.      How  is   it    in    the   hospital,  dear? 

Madge.  Horrible  !  Horrible !  Oh,  the 
smell  !  {Shudders. ) 

Ellice.      How  is   everybody  doing  ? 

Madge.  Miss  Price  and  Miss  Newson 
about  the  same.  Poor  Mrs.  Pennithorne's 
much  worse.  I  shall  be  down  to-morrow. 
Don't    I    look    ghastly? 

Ellice.     None  of  us  look  very  beautiful. 

Madge.  You  look  interesting,  at  any  rate, 
and  I  know  I'm  a  hideous  wreck.  Ellice, 
ducky,  I've  lost  my  powder  puff  and  box. 
What    can    I    do  ? 

Ellice  (fanning  Carnac).  I  should  do 
without    it. 

Madge.      Lend    me    yours,   ducky. 

Ellice.      I    haven't    got    one. 

Madge.  How  tiresome!  Then  I  can't 
come    to    dinner. 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  117 

Ellice.     Why  not? 

Madge.      Let   the   men   see   me  like   this  ! 

Ellice.  I  don't  think  they'll  mind.  We 
may    all    look    very    much    worse    to-morrow. 

Madge.  Oh,  don't  give  me  the  horrors. 
{Looking  down  at  Carnac.)  How  ill  he 
looks  ! 

Ellice.  This  is  the  first  sleep  he's  had 
for    a   week. 

Madge.  I'd  like  to  kiss  him  for  all  he's 
done    for    us. 

Ellice.      He    has    been    brave,   hasn't    he? 

Madge.      Oh,  if   I   do   get  out  of  this  won't 

I  let  everybody  in  England  know  what  plucky 

fellows    we    had    with    us.       {Blows    a    kiss    to 

Carnac.)     I    must  go  and   scrub  myself  down. 

Send    me   some   dinner,   will  you  ?     You   are   a 

donkey  not   to   carry  a   powder   puff  with   you. 

{Exit.     As    Madge  goes   off,  noise  of  a   shell 

exploding  in   the   distance.      Carnac   stirs 

and  mutters   in   his   sleep.) 

Carnac.  Look  at  that  devil  creeping  under 
the  wall  there !  Down  with  him  !  Bravo,  Padri, 
bravo  !  If  it  weren't  for  the  women,  Billy,  if  it 
weren't  for  the  women  ! 

Ellice.     Ah  ! 

Carnac.      If  I  fall  tell  Miss  Ford {Pause. 

Then  solemnly,  in  the  same  voice  as  Kynaston's.) 
Give  up  that  woman  or  be  lost  for  ever  !     All 


118  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  IV 

right,  Hedley,  old  fellow.  (Pause.)  Ellice  ! 
Ellice  !  (Ellice  rises,  startled  and  delighted.) 
Do  you  mind  ?  Take  my  hand.  He  wishes  it. 
I  wish  it. 

Ellice.      Ah  ! 

Carnac  {half  wakes,  sits  up,  drops  down 
again  with  great  fatigue ;  again  stirs,  tries  to 
rouse  himself,  looks  at  her,  shakes  himself). 
Where  was  I?  {Stretches  himself.)  Excuse  me. 
I'm  —  oh  ! — {Shakes  himself,  tries  to  pull  himself 
together.)  For  heaven's  sake  don't  let  me  go  to 
sleep.  {Trying  to  rouse  himself.) 

Ellice.     I've  got  some  fresh  coffee. 

(  Going  to  table. ) 

Carnac.  Thanks  !  Thanks  !  Don't  let  me 
go  to  sleep.  (Ellice  goes  with  coffee.  Shakes 
him  a  little.      Trying  to  rouse  himself  )      Eh  ? 

Ellice.      Some  coffee  ! 

Carnac  {again  shakes  himself).  Thanks. 
(Drinks  coffee.)  That's  good.  If  ever  there 
was  a  ministering  angel,  you've  been  one  to 
me  this  last  fortnight. 

Enter  Radnage. 

Carnac.      How  goes  it,   Billy  ? 
Radnage.      Awful.      I  felt   I  must  get  out  of 
it  for  a  few  minutes.  {Going  up  to  table.) 


scene  i  CARNAC    SAHIB  119 

Re-enter  Amina. 

Amina  (Jo  Ellice).  If  you  please,  Missie 
Memsahib,  the  old  Memsahib  Pennithorne  will 
not  let  me  nurse  her.      She  will  call  out  for  you. 

Ellice.      I'll  go  to  her. 

Carnac.      Must  you  go  ? 

Ellice.  It's  only  for  a  few  minutes,  and  the 
poor  old  creature  likes  me  to  be  near  her. 

[He  looks  very  anxiously  at  her,  kisses  her  hand, 
and  then  lets  her  go.  Exit  Ellice,  fol- 
lowed by  Amina.) 

Radnage  {going  ip  to  the  table).  Ah! 
Champagne.      Good. 

Carnac  (  comes  up  to  him,  touches  him  on  the 
shoulder).      Billy !     Take  care. 

Radnage.  No  fear,  old  fellow.  Whilst 
this  excitement  lasts  I  shall  take  my  whack  like 
a  man,  and  I  shall  do  my  duty  to  my  patients. 
But  — but 

Carnac.     But  what,  Billy  ? 

Radnage.  The  moment  this  danger  is  over 
I  shall  go  flop,  like  a  child's  penny  air  balloon. 

Carnac.     No,  Billy. 

Radnage  (breaking  down,  half  crying).  Yes! 
Yes  !  If  it  were  not  for  what  I  can  still  do  for 
all  you  brave  fellows  and  the  women,  I  wish  I 
could  make  a  good  end  of  it  to-night,  for  I  feel, 
I  know,  Carnac,  that  the  moment  I  get  out  of 


120 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


this  —  if  I  do  get  out  of  it — this  devil  that  I've 
kept  behind  me  for  the  last  fortnight  will  jump 
on  my  back  and  whip  and  spur  me  headlong  to 
bottomless  perdition. 

Carnac.      No,  Billy,  no. 

Radnage.  I  know  it.  But  till  then  you 
needn't  fear  that  I  shall  take  one  drop  more  than 
will  make  me  physician  extraordinary  to  those 
poor  creatures  in  hospital  and  a  jolly  good 
companion  to  the  dear  brave  fellows  (enter 
Hobbs  and  Barton,  in  a  hurry,  followed  by 
May.  They  come  up  to  Jiim,  and  he  embraces 
Hobbs  and  Barton)  and  the  dauntless  young 
English  Joan  of  Arc  {bowing  to  May),  who  are 
now  about  to  sit  down  to  what  may,  or  may 
not,  be  their  last  meal,  and  therefore,  in  either 
alternative,  are  going  to  do  justice  to  it.  Fore- 
gather !  Foregather!  (They  sit  down.)  Menu! 
Tinned  herrings,  biscuits,  champagne!  (The 
Indian  tom-tom  begins  sounding  outside.)  Band  ! 
(Shell  explodes  with  a  terrific  noise.)  And  fire- 
works ! 

Barton  (holding  up  champagne  as  if  he  were 
reciting  a  grace).  Bless  and  praise  the  Nawab 
of  Fyzapore  for  laying  in  a  good  stock  of 
champagne  for  us  to  drink.  Wish  his  taste 
had    been    for    something    a    trifle    drier. 

Radnage.  My  son  Richard,  to-morrow  at 
this   hour  we   may  not   only  be  without   cham- 


. 


scene  i  CARNAC    SAHIB  121 

pagne,   but    without    throats    wherein     to    pour 
it.      Therefore,   fall    to,   and    revile    not. 

Carnac.      Nothing    fresh,    Padri  ? 

Hobbs.  No,  sir.  Dicky  and  I  have  been 
down  the  shafts  all  the  afternoon  with  our 
ears    glued,    but    we    can't    hear    anything. 

Barton.  Pardon  me,  sir,  our  rascals  won't 
work  a  counter  mine,  and  we've  got  no  pow- 
der left;  so  if  the  Nawab  is  mining  us,  don't 
you  think  we  had  better  be  comfortably  blown 
up  before  we  know  anything  about  it  ? 

Carnac.  There's  something  to  be  said  for 
that,  Dicky.  {With  great  concern.*)  If  we 
could  but  know  what's  going  on  outside  ! 
Why  on  earth  don't  we  hear  from  the  Gen- 
eral ?  Ah,  my  lads,  I  thought  I  was  clever 
to  sneak  you  in  here  without  losing  a  life ; 
but  I've  only  brought  you  into  a  death- 
trap ! 

{Noise  of  men  in  mutiny  without.      They 
all  rise. ) 

Carnac.  What's  that  ?  (Ford  rushes  in 
excitedly. )     What    is    it,   Ford  ? 

Ford.  They've  broken  out,  sir.  We  can't 
hold  them  in  any  longer.  They  demand  the 
gates  shall  be  opened   to  the  Nawab. 

Lovatt  {rushing  in).  It's  all  over,  sir,  I'm 
afraid.  Captain  Bell  is  holding  the  gate. 
Can    we    save   the    ladies  ? 


122  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

Carnac  {takes  a  disturbed  turn  or  two.  To 
Barton).      There's   no   powder,  Dicky? 

Barton.     Not   a  cartridge. 

Carnac.  Do  as  I  tell  you.  One  false 
step  and  we're  done  for.  Shush  !  (Crowd  of 
Mutineers  rush  in  headed  by  a  Ringleader. 
Carnac  stands  very  firm.  The  Ringleader 
comes    up   to   Carnac   and  salaams.)      Well? 

Ringleader.  Pardon,  Sahib.  His  Mighty 
Highness  the  Nawab  has  offered  us  our  lives 
if  the   Palace  is  given  up  to-night. 

Carnac.     Well  ? 

Ringleader.  We  demand,  Sahib,  that  you 
shall  open  the  gates  to  us  and  let  us  go  out 
to  the  Nawab.  What  is  your  answer,  Sahib? 
(Carnac  takes  out  his  revolver,  shoots  the 
man.  The  man  falls.  The  other  Muti- 
neers stand  back  a  pace,  Carnac  cover- 
ing them  with  his  revolver.) 

Carnac  (takes  out  a  large  key,  gives  it  to 
Barton).  Mr.  Barton,  go  down  to  the  pow- 
der room,  light  a  fuse,  and  the  moment  I 
send    the    order,   blow    it    up. 

Barton.     Yes,   sir.  (Exit   Barton.) 

Carnac.  Mr.  Hobbs,  stand  ready  to  take 
the    order. 

Hobbs.     Yes,   sir. 

Carnac  (covering  Mutineers  with  his  revol- 
ver). If  one  of  you  takes  a  step  further,  or 
tries  to    open    the  gates,   I'll  blow    the  Palace, 


scene  I  CARNAC    SAHIB  123 

and  us,  and  everyone  of  your  damned  car- 
cases to  rags  and  ribbons  and  eternity. 
(Murmurs  of  expostulation.  The  men  begin  to 
fall  back.)  But  if  you  trust  me  and  keep 
quiet  till  General  Scrivener  comes  to  relieve 
us,  I  promise  that  everyone  of  you  shall  have 
fifty  rupees  and  a  medal,  like  the  good  brave 
fellows  that  you  are.  Mr.  Hobbs,  stand 
ready.  Now,  which  shall  it  be?  {They  alt 
murmur  obedience  and  salaam.  Murmurs:  "We 
will  obey  you,  Carnac  Sahib.  We  will  obey 
you.")  That's  right.  Mr.  Lovatt,  look  after 
these  brave  fellows.  See  that  they  are  well 
cared  for.  Let  them  have  extra  rations  for 
their  fidelity,  and  {aside  in  his  ears)  for  Heaven's 
sake  take  care  the  blackguards  don't  get  their 
arms  again.  To  your  quarters  at  once.  {They 
all  go  off  murmuring,  "The  noble  Carnac  Sahib." 
Exit  Lovatt.)  Mr.  Hobbs,  tell  Mr.  Barton 
to  lock  up  the  powder  room  and  bring  me 
the  key.  {Exit  Hobbs.  The  wounded  Muti- 
neer stirs  and  groans.  Calls  off.)  Hi  there  ! 
Winged  him  !  He'll  get  over  it.  {Some  Sol- 
diers enter.)  Take  him  away  and  let  him  be 
looked  after  !  {They  remove  the  man.)  Now 
we'll  go  on  with  our  dinner.  Let's  have  one 
good  meal  before  the  end  !       {They  sit  down.) 

(Scene  closed  in   by  Scene  //.) 


124  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  IV 

Scene   II 

Room  in  Olive  Arnison's  Bungalow 

Door  r.  Door  at  back,  L.  A  looking  glass.  Discover 
Olive  Arnison  in  afternoon  dress  paci?ig  up  and 
doivn   in  great  impatience. 

Bearer.  The  Sahib  sends  me  to  say  that 
he   must   start   for   Simla   in   two   minutes. 

Olive.  Very  well.  (The  Bearer  waits.) 
Very  well.  (Exit  Bearer,  as  Ayah  enters  at 
the  outer   door.*) 

Olive.  Well?  Did  you  see  Colonel  Syrett? 
Did  you  give  him  my  message  ? 

Ayah.  Yes,  Memsahib.  Colonel  Syrett  say 
he  is  in  a  very  great  hurry,  but  he  will  come 
to   the   Memsahib. 

Olive.  Wait  for  him  at  the  side  door. 
Show  him  to  me  here.  And  then  bring  my 
travelling   things. 

Enter  Mrs.   Remington   in  outdoor  dress,  as 
if  attired  for  a  journey. 

Ayah.     Yes,  Memsahib.  (Exit.) 

Mrs.  R.  {very  sugary).  Olive,  dearest,  every- 
thing is  ready.      Charles  is  getting  impatient. 

Olive.  Yes,  I  heard  him  swearing  at  the 
Syce. 


scene  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  125 

Mrs.  R.      He  says  he  must  start  at  once. 

Olive.      I    won't   keep   him. 

Mrs.  R.  But,  Olive,  dearest,  you  are  com- 
ing  to   Simla   with   us  ? 

Olive.     Am  I  ? 

Mrs.  R.     But  we   must   be   going. 

Olive.      Must  you  ?     Good-bye. 

Mrs.  R.  Olive  dear,  Charles  says  that  as 
your  husband  he  will  insist  upon  your  coming. 

Olive.     Oh  ?     Ah  !     Hum  ! 

(And  a   little  amused  sniff.') 

Mrs.  R.  What  message  shall  I  take  to 
him  ? 

Olive.     Tell  him   not   to   talk   nonsense. 

Enter  Ayah,  showing  in   Colonel   Syrett. 
Exit  Ayah. 

Olive  (to  Syrett,  shaking  hands).  How  d'ye 
do  ? 

Syrett.      How  d'ye  do  ? 

Olive  (to  Mrs.  Remington).  I  wish  to 
speak   to   Colonel   Syrett. 

Mrs.  R.  Don't  forget,  dear,  that  the  gharry 
is  at  the  door.  (To  Syrett.)  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Arnison   are  just   starting   for   Simla. 

{Exit. ) 

Syrett.  I  came  at  once,  but  I  haven't  a 
moment  to  spare.  How  did  you  know  I  was 
here? 


126 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


Olive.  I  saw  you  riding  through.  Is  there 
any  news  from  Fyzapore  ? 

Syrett.     Yes.     The  worst. 

Olive.  Colonel  Carnac  has  not  yet  yielded  ? 
He's  not  dead  ? 

Syrett.  No.  But  there's  very  little  hope. 
The  Nawab  is  desperate,  half  mad.  He  knows 
that  after  all  his  murders  there's  no  chance  of 
mercy  for  him,  and.  he  has  sent  a  message  to 
the  General  to  say  that  unless  he  and  all  his 
crew  are  given  a  free  pardon  and  all  their 
privileges,  he  will  fire  the  palace  to-morrow 
morning   and   burn   and   kill   everyone   in   it. 

Olive.     And  where  are   you   going  ? 

Syrett.     To   Fyzapore. 

Olive.     What   for  ? 

Syrett.  To  get  inside  if  I  can  and  tell 
Carnac  to  hold  out  another  day  at  all  costs. 
The  message  came  just  as  the  General  was 
going  to  fight  the  Rajah  of  Sirhoot.  He  asked 
for  a  volunteer  for  Fyzapore.      I  offered. 

Olive.      You  offered  ? 

Syrett.  I  have  a  native  servant  whom  I 
can  trust,  and  through  him  I  think  I  can  get 
to  know  what  is  going  on  in  the  Nawab' s  camp. 

Olive.      And   then   what  will   you   do  ? 

Syrett.  I  don't  know  till  I  get  there. 
The  General  has  given  me  full  powers  to  act 
as   I   think   best. 


SCENE  ii  CARNAC    SAHIB  127 

Olive.  Are  you  friends  with  Colonel 
Carnac? 

Syrett.  Yes  —  at  least  —  on  everything 
except  you. 

Olive.     Ah  !     And    about  me  ? 

Syrett.  If  we  both  come  out  of  it,  I'll  try 
and  win  you   from  him. 

Olive.     Colonel  Syrett,  can  I   trust  you  ? 

Syrett.      In   what  ? 

Olive.  Will  you  take  a  letter  from  me  to 
Colonel   Carnac? 

Syrett.  You  love  him  ?  {She  doesn't 
answer.)     You    love    him  ? 

Olive.     Will   you   take   a  letter  to   him  ? 

Syrett.  I  shall  very  likely  get  taken  or 
killed  outside  Fyzapore.  You  wouldn't  have 
your   letter  found   upon   me. 

(A    little  pause,  Olive   deliberates. ) 

Olive.     Will   you  take   a   message  ? 

Syrett.     Yes. 

Olive.     Faithfully  ? 

Syrett.      Faithfully  —  if  I  get  to  him  alive. 

Olive.  Tell  Colonel  Carnac  I  have  thought 
of  him  night  and  day  since  he  left.  I  would 
have  come  to  Fyzapore  if  I  could  have  got  in. 
Tell  him  I  believe  in  his  luck,  and  that  he 
will  live  to  come  out  of  this  with  flying  colours. 
Tell  him  that  I  am  going  to  Simla,  and  that 
I  expect  him  to  join  me  there  the  moment  he 


128 


CARNAC    SAHIB 


is  free.  Tell  him  that  if  he  fails  me  I  will 
come  to  him  wherever  he  may  be,  and  I  will 
kill   myself  at  his   feet. 

Syrett.  As  the  boy  did,  with  the  razor  out- 
side your  cabin  door  ! 

Olive.  Tell  him  I  will  kill  myself.  Will 
you   give  him   that   message  ? 

Syrett.  Yes,  faithfully.  But  if  I  get  free 
I  shall  come  to  Simla  too  !  Do  you  hear  ?  I 
shall  come  to  Simla  too  ! 

Olive.  I  can't  help  your  coming  to  Simla. 
Take  my  message  to   Colonel   Carnac. 

Syrett  {goes  to  her  as  if  to  clasp  her).  Give 
me  something!  No  —  let  me  do  this  bit  of 
business  straight.  I'll  get  through  to  him  if 
I  can.  I'll  take  your  message  faithfully,  and 
then  —  promise  me  that  if  we  both  come  to 
Simla  you'll  give  me  the  same  chance  to  win 
you   that  you   give   to   him. 

Olive.     Yes. 

Syrett.      Good-bye.  {Exit) 

Enter  Mrs.  Remington. 

Mrs.  R.  Olive,  dearest,  Charles  is  in  such 
a   fever 


Enter  Ayah   with   travelling  cloak  and  hat. 
Mrs.  R.     Ah,  I'm  so  glad  you  are  coming- 


scene  II  CARNAC    SAHIB  129 

I'll  tell  Charles  you'll  be  ready  in  a  minute. 
(Olive  is  busy  with  travelling  cloak,  and  takes 
no  notice.)  You  won't  be  long,  dearest,  will 
you? 

Olive.  I  shall  be  five  minutes  at  least, 
perhaps  ten.  {To  Ayah,  at  glass.)  Get  me 
some  more  gloves,  these  won't  do.  {Dashing 
them  on  the  floor.  Exit  Ayah.)  If  Charles  is 
in  a  hurry,  tell  him  please  not  to  wait  for  me. 
I  will  come  on  to  Simla  to-morrow  — or  next 
week — or   next   year. 

Mrs.  R.  {very  agitated).  Olive  dear,  prom- 
ise me   there  sha'n't   be   any  scandal  ? 

Olive    {at   glass).      Scandal?      Scandal?      I 

trust  not.      I  must  leave  it  for  him  to  decide  ! 

(Olive  very  deliberately  arranges  her  toilet  and 

then  goes  off  with  a  very  defiant  air,  fol' 

lowed  by  Mrs.  Remington.) 


Scene   III 

The  Jewelled  Palace.    Night.    Palace  Lighted 
with  Lamps  and  Torches 

Discover  at  table  Carnac,  Radnage,  Hobbs,  and  Barton, 
smoking ,  zuith  glasses  in  front  of  them. 

Radnage    {looking    at    watch,    raises    glass). 
Well,  here's  hoping  that  my  misspent  life  may 


130  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  IV 

not  be  brought  to  an  untimely  end  during  the 
next  twenty-four  hours,  and  that  we  may  all 
quaff  and  hobnob  round  this  board  to-morrow 
evening.  {Drinks. ) 

Barton.  And  dine  together  at  the  Savoy 
this   day   twelvemonth  !  {Drinks.) 

Hobbs.  During  which  time,  Dicky,  may 
there  be  some  amendment  in  your  behaviour 
towards   3'our  spiritual    supervisors  ! 

{Drinks. ) 

Barton.  Well,  Padri,  I  promise  you  I'll 
never  say  an  unkind  word  about  a  parson 
again  {clapping  him  affectionately  on  the  shoulder'), 
and  you  know  {getting  a  little  sentimental)  I 
wasn't  nearly  as  good  to  my  mother  and  sisters 
as  I  ought  to  have  been. 

Radnage.     Ah !     Ah !     Ah ! 

{Shaking  his  head  at   Barton.) 

Barton.  And  there  was  a  girl  who  was 
fond   of  me 


Radnage.     Ah !     Ah !     Ah  ! 

{Shaking  his  head,  solemnly.) 

Barton.  Well,  she  was  a  million  times  too 
good  for  me.  If  I  do  get  out  of  this  infernal 
hole  I'll  try  and  be  a  better  man  for  her  sake, 
eh,  sir?  {To  Carnac.) 

Carnac  {who  has  been  a  little  apart,  very 
anxious  and  careworn).  I  suppose  none  of  us 
will    be    quite    the    same    after    this,    Dicky,    if 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  131 

there  is  an  "after"  for  us.  I  know  I  shall  go 
out  of  this  place  a  different  man  from  the  man 
I    entered   it. 

Radnage.  Bosh,  sir!  Delusive  bosh;  if  I 
may  presume  to  say  so.  Throughout  a  long 
and  chequered  life  I  have  vainly  watched  for 
the  slightest  improvement  in  my  own  character, 
whether  induced  by  the  solemn  nature  of  my 
perpetual  good  resolutions,  or  the  hell  and 
pickles  whereinto  my  conduct  has  led  me. 
Padri,  my  son,  it  is  an  amiable  fiction  of  your 
profession  that  it  can  change  our  characters  ! 
Bosh,  sir !  Delusive  bosh  !  Character  never 
changes.  It  only  develops !  This  being  so, 
and  no  otherwise,  we  shall  go  out  of  this  place, 
if  we  do  go  out  of  it,  the  very  same  scamps 
we  entered  it,  and  in  six  months  time  we  shall 
probably  be  very  much  worse  scamps  still 

Hobbs.     \ 

Barton.   I  No,  Billy,  no  !     {Cries  of  "No  !  ") 

Carnac.    \ 

( They    are     all     at     table     liste?ii?ig     to 
Radnage.) 

Radnage.  I  speak  for  myself.  What  is  the 
inference  ?  Follow  me  closely,  fellow  sinners  ! 
To  whom  has  my  rascally  conduct  done  most 
damage  ?  To  myself.  Now,  upon  careful  con- 
sideration, I  have  magnanimously  forgiven  my- 
self.    And    if    I,   who    have     been    so    deeply 


132  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

wronged  and  injured  by  my  misdoings,  can  so 
freely  forgive  myself,  surely,  Padri,  your  great 
Commander-in-Chief  won't  be  outdone  in  his 
own  prerogative  of  mercy  by  a  mere  outsider 
like  me  !  Depend  upon  it,  fellow  sinners,  he'll 
think  better  of  the  whole  business.  He'll  issue 
a  free  pardon  to  all  of  us.  Fellow  sinners,  I 
have  to  stew  all  night  in  that  poisonous  hos- 
pital upstairs.  I'm  going  to  get  a  whiff  {sniffs) 
of  not  very  fresh  air  outside  ! 

{Pops  off,  smoking.     Carnac  is  walking  up 
and  down  in  great  perplexity. ) 

Barton  {very  sympat/ietiea//y) .  I  know 
you're    in    a    terrible    fix,    sir. 

Carnac.  If  I  could  but  hear  from  the 
General.  If  I  could  but  know  whether  he 
got    my    last    message. 

Hobbs.  Let  me  try  to  cut  my  way  through, 
sir.      I'll  start  at  once  with  pleasure. 

Carnac.  No,  Padri.  It  may  comfort  the 
women  folk  to  have  you  near  them  at  the  last. 

Barton.  Let  me  go,  sir.  If  I  get  through, 
what  shall  I  say  to  the  General  ? 

Carnac.  Tell  him  the  state  we're  in.  No 
ammunition,  the  natives  in  mutiny,  the  Nawab 
desperate.  If  we're  not  relieved,  any  hour  may 
end  it. 

Barton.     Yes,  sir.     Good-bye. 

Carnac.     No.     Don't  go,  Dicky. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  133 

Barton.  Yes,  sir,  yes.  It's  no  more  dan- 
gerous than  staying  here. 

Carnac.     That's    true.     Very  well,   my  lad, 

do  it.      Don't  give  me  the  job  of  breaking  the 

news  to  your  people  at  home. 

{Exit  Barton.) 

Hobbs.  I  suppose  I  shall  have  to  listen  in 
both  shafts  to-night  ? 

Carnac.       Yes,    Padri.        If    you    hear    the 
least    sound     of     any    mining,     come    to    me 
You'll    find    me    here. 

Enter  Ellice. 

Ellice.  Padri,  Mrs.  Pennithorne  wants  to 
see  you. 

Hobbs.  I  was  with  her  for  over  an  hour 
this    morning. 

Carnac.      Is    she   very   much    worse  ? 

Hobbs.  She's  always  very  much  worse. 
The  fact  is,  she's  horribly  afraid  of  being 
blown  to  bits,  and  of  what  will  happen  to 
her  afterwards.  I've  done  all  I  can  to  com- 
fort  her. 

Ellice.  She  thinks  she  is  dying.  Go  to 
her,   Padri. 

Hobbs.  Oh,  very  well.  {Looking  at  his 
watch.)  I  can  give  her  just  ten  minutes,  and 
then    I    must    look  after  my  mining  shafts. 

{Exit.) 


134  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

Carnac  (Jo  Ellice,  who  is  following  him). 
Don't  go.  They  can  do  without  you  for  a 
few  minutes.  (She  stays.)  I  want  to  speak 
to  you. 

Ellice.     Yes  ? 

Carnac.  This  has  been  an  awful  fortnight 
for  you. 

Ellice.  No  more  than  for  you.  How 
changed    you    are  ! 

Carnac.  Am  I  ?  What  ages  it  seems 
since  we  came  in  here  !  Yes,  I  am  changed.  I 
wanted   to  tell  you 

Ellice.     What  ? 

Carnac.  I  daresay  it's  only  the  sentimental 
cant  that  we  all  talk  when  we  are  very  near 
death.  I  daresay  if  we  get  out  of  this,  I  should 
be  the  same  worthless  fellow  I  was  a  month 
ago — no,  that's  not  possible  —  it's  not  cant  —  I 
don't  say  it  with  my  tongue  —  I  say  it  with  all 
that's  sacred  in  my  nature,  and  I  want  you  to 
know  before  it's  too  late  —  if  I  were  to  get  out 
of  this,  I  could  never  be  quite  the  same  man 
I  have  been,  I  could  never  run  the  same  dan- 
ger that  you  saved  me  from  the  other  night. 
Do  you  understand  ? 

Ellice.     Yes. 

Carnac.  Now  tell  me  that  you  forgive  me 
for  bringing  you  here. 

Ellice      Forgive  you  ?     I  thank  you. 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  135 

Carnac.      For  bringing  you  to  die  ? 

Ellice.  With  them  —  with  you.  And  you 
don't  think  the  end  will  be  very  horrible  ? 

Carnac.      I  trust  not. 

Ellice.     How  do  you  think  it  will  come? 

Carnac.  We  may  be  all  butchered  or  shot 
at  any  moment.  The  Nawab  is  mad  with 
fury  —  one  can  scarcely  tell  what  may  happen 
—  suppose  I  see  that  you  may  meet  with 
some  horrible  cruelty  before  death,  you  would 
trust  yourself  to  me 

Ellice.     Yes.      Kill  me  yourself. 

Carnac.  This  is  the  saddest  night  you 
have    ever   spent 

Ellice.     No,   I    am    very   happy. 

Ford  enters  quickly. 

Ford.  Poor  Radnage  !  He  wants  to  see 
you,  sir. 

Carnac.     What  is  it  ? 

Ford.  Mr.  Barton  crept  out  to  get  through 
the  enemy's  lines  and  was  fired  at.  Billy  Rad- 
nage saw  him  fall,  ran  out,  and  dragged  him  in, 
got  him  just  to  the  gate  when  he  was  shot 
himself. 

Carnac.     Both  killed  ? 

Ford.  No,  Barton's  wound  is  very  slight. 
But  Billy  says  it's  all  over  with  himself. 


136  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

Enter  Radnage,  supported  by  two  Soldiers. 

Radnage.  That's  so.  {To  the  Soldiers.) 
Pin  me  up,  you  boys.  {To  Carnac. )  Colo- 
nel  

Carnac.  Bill)',  I'd  rather  it  had  been 
myself  ! 

Radnage.        Nonsense.       Thank    God,    I'm 

spared  a  cruel  old  age.     Colonel,  Miss  Ford 

{To  the  Soldiers.)  Give  me  a  spoonful  of 
something,  you  boys  —  when  I  dropped  just 
now  I  kept  on  hearing  old  psalm-singer's  dying 
words.  You  remember  that  night  at  the  Club 
when  he  joined  your  hands.  (Carnac  and 
Ellice  look  at  each  other. )  If  I'm  wrong,  laugh 
at  me  for  a  silly  fool  and  bury  it  with  all  my 
other  follies  —  but  —  I'm  going  to  try  and 
wriggle  into  old  psalm-singer's  family  Paradise 
—  I  know  it's  a  forlorn  hope,  but  if  St.  Peter 
isn't  looking  I  may  squeeze  in  on  the  sly,  and 
if  I  do,  shall  I  take  old  psalm-singer  any 
message,  Colonel  ? 

Carnac  {holds  out  his  hand  to  Ellice,  who  re- 
sponds, at  the  same  time  saying  to  Ford).  Mr. 
Ford,  if  this  were  a  time,  wouldyou  give  her 
to  me  ? 

(Ford  nods,  and  in  dumb  motion  gives  her 
to  Carnac,  who  takes  her  hand.) 
Carnac.     If  we  live,  Billy  —  if  we  live 


scene  III  CARNAC    SAHIB  137 

Radnage.  Drink  one  glass  with  me,  old 
friend,  before  I  start.  ( They  give  him  a  glass. 
Carnac  also  takes  one.*)  Wish  me  a  prosperous 
voyage,  and  here's  to  you  —  with  as  long  life 
as  God  may  see  fit.  (Drinks.)  Sorry  I  can't 
do  any  more  for  those  poor  devils  in  hospital. 
My  love  to  all  the  boys  and  all  the  girls  —  ah  ! 
the  plaguey  creatures  !  And  the  merry  drink  ! 
I've  had  a  good  time  !  It's  only  a  few  minutes, 
boys.  Take  me  to  the  shed  (they  take  him  up) 
and  lay  me  beside  the  other  past  masters.  (As 
he  is  taken  off  he  calls  out.)  Tell  General 
Scrivener  I've  sent  in  my  papers  1  I've  made  a 
good  end,  haven't  I  ! 

{They  are  taking  him  off,  Carnac  following, 
when  Lovatt  enters  in  great  excitement. 
Radnage  m  taken  off,  all  of  them  following.) 

Lovatt.  Sir,  Colonel  Syrett  has  got  through 
the  enemy's  lines.      He  has  just  come  in. 

Carnac.     Syrett ! 

Enter  Syrett  in  native  dress. 

Carnac.      Syrett !     How  did  you  get  in  ? 

(Exit  Lovatt.) 

Syrett.  Crept  through  in  this  dress,  with 
the  help  of  my  servant. 

Carnac.  What  news  ?  Has  the  General 
fought  the   Rajah  of  Sirhoot  ? 


138  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

Syrett.  I  left  him  just  as  he  was  going  into 
the  fight.  He  asked  for  a  volunteer  to  come 
here.  I  offered  because  I  wanted  to  wipe  out 
what  I  did  the  other  night 

Carnac.  Hush  !  That's  forgotten !  {Offers 
hand.  A  warm  handshake  between  the  two  men.) 
When  can  he  send  to  relieve  us  ? 

Syrett.  If  he  is  victorious  he'll  make  a 
forced  march  here  as  soon  as  the  fight  is  over. 
But  it's  hopeless  ! 

Carnac.     Why  ! 

Syrett.  I  had  a  servant  with  me  whom  I 
could  trust.  I  sent  him  into  the  Nawab's  tent 
to  learn  what  he  could. 

Carnac.     Well  ? 

Syrett.  The  Nawab  means  to  make  one 
last  try  to  get  you  to  give  yourselves  up  as 
hostages.  He's  mad  and  drunk,  and  if  you 
do  surrender  it's  likely  we  shall  all  be  treach- 
erously murdered.  If  you  don't  surrender  he 
means  to  bombard  the  Palace  to-morrow  morn- 
ing.     Can  you  defend  it? 

Carnac.      No.      All  the  powder's  gone. 

Syrett.     Then  it's  all  up  with  us. 

Carnac.      Looks  like  it. 

Syrett.      I  have  a  message  for  you. 

Carnac.     From  whom  ? 

Syrett.     Mrs.  Arnison. 

Carnac.     Mrs.  Arnison?    I'd  rather  not  hear 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  139 

it.      It's  years  since  I  saw  her.     I  have  forgot- 
ten her. 

Syrett.  Is  that  so  ?  Let  me  give  my 
message  faithfully,  as  I  promised.  She  says 
she  has  thought  of  you  day  and  night  since 
you  left.  She  says  she  believes  in  your  luck, 
and  that  you'll  come  out  of  this  with  flying 
colours.  She  says  she  is  going  to  Simla,  and 
that  if  you  don't  come  to  her 

Ellice  has  entered  and  come  up  to  them. 

Ellice.  Poor  Billy  has  gone !  He  sends 
his  love  to  you,  and  hopes  you  won't  meet 
Mr.  Funk  when  it  comes  to  the  end.  Colonel 
Syrett  ! 

Syrett.     Miss  Ford  ! 

Ellice.     Are  we  to  be  relieved  ? 

Syrett.     The  General  will  do  his  best 

Enter  Captain  Bell. 

Bell.     A  messenger  from  the  Nawab,  sir. 
Carnac.      Show  him  in,  Captain  Bell. 
(Carnac  sits  to  receive  the  Messenger.) 

Enter  Lovatt  with  Nawab's  Messenger.     Mes- 
senger salaams,  Carnac  bows. 

Messenger.     Carnac  Sahib,  the  glorious  and 


140  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

mighty  Nawab  of  Fyzapore,  sends  his  salaam. 
He  asks  you  for  the  last  time  to  place  your- 
self and  all  the  soldiers  and  the  Memsahibs 
under  his  protection  as  hostages  to  the  Eng- 
lish Government. 

Carnac.  Tell  his  Highness  that  I  await 
General  Scrivener's  commands.  Till  I  receive 
them  I  hold  this  Palace  for  Her  Majesty. 

Messenger.  Under  what  condition  will  you 
surrender  the  Palace  to  his  Highness  ? 

Carnac.     Under  no  conditions  whatever. 

Messenger  {salaams).  Then  his  Highness 
will  attack  the  Palace  to-morrow  morning, 
and    he    will    spare    not    a    single    life. 

Carnac.  Captain  Bell,  conduct  his  High- 
ness's  messenger  to  the  gate,  and  see  that  he 
is  not  fired  upon.  {Exit  Bell  and  Messen- 
ger.) Mr.  Lovatt,  go  round  to  everyone  in 
the  Palace  and  say  that  we  may  expect  to  be 
attacked  at  sunrise.  Say  that  I  rely  that 
there  will  be  no  alarm  or  confusion,  but  that 
everybody  will  be  found  in  readiness  at  his 
post. 

Lovatt.     Yes,  sir.  (Jzxit.) 

Ellice.      You  think  it  is  the  end? 

Carnac.      I  fear  it.      Try  and  get  some  rest. 

Ellice.  I  couldn't  sleep.  Promise  me  one 
last  thing. 

Carnac.      It's  done.     What  is  it  ? 


scene  in  CARNAC    SAHIB  141 

Ellice.  You  are  worn  to  death.  We  all 
depend  on  you.  Get  some  sleep.  I'll  watch 
for  you  and  call  you  the  moment  you  are 
wanted.  {He  demurs.)  Yes  —  please  —  you 
have    promised. 

Carnac.      I    think    I    could    go    off.      {Comes 
up    to    table.)       Arthur  —  will    you    watch    with 
her    for    an    hour  ? 
Syrett.      Yes,   sir. 
Carnac     {holding     hand).         Good      fellow  ! 

You've     only    come     in     to    die    with    us 

Syrett  {warm  handshake).  I  thought  it 
might   come  to    that. 

(Carnac  sighs  deeply  with  fatigue,  and  drops 
on  a  couch.) 

Carnac.      I   am  dead   beat 

{Falls  asleep.) 
(Ellice  watches   Carnac,  fanning  him.      The 
curtain  falls.      The  curtain  remains  down 
for  a  few  seconds  to  signify  the  passing  of 
the  night.) 


142  CARNAC    SAHIB  act  iv 

Scene   IV 

Scene  the  Same.    Dawn,  Scarcely  Light.     It 
Grows  Lighter  During  the  Scene. 

Discover  Carnac  asleep.     Syrett  enters,  looking  off. 
Great  shouting  and  noise. 

Syrett  {to  Ellice).  Yes  !  Wake  him  up  ! 
It's  quite  true. 

Ellice.  Colonel  Carnac  !  Wake  !  Wake  ! 
Do    you   hear  !     Will   you   wake  ! 

Carnac  {stirs).      What  is  it  ?     Where  am   I  ? 

Ellice.  Such  good  news  !  We're  all  saved  ! 
Do  you  hear  ?  We  are  saved  !  The  General 
has  won  a  great  victory,  and  the  Nawab's 
troops  have  mutinied  against  him  and  killed 
him  !     We're   saved  !      It's   true  ! 

Carnac.  Am  I  dead,  or  dreaming,  or  — 
what   is  it  ? 

Ellice.  We're  saved  !  The  Nawab's  killed  ! 
The  General  has  done  a  forced  march  all 
through   the  night !     Look  !     He's  here  ! 

Enter  General  Scrivener,  his  staff,  Syrett, 
Barton,  Lovatt,  Bell,  Madge  Lovelace, 
May    Ford,    Hobbs,    etc. 

Scrivener.     All  well  here,  Colonel  Carnac  ? 
Carnac  {salutes).     All   well,  sir. 

Curtain. 


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